Prosecutors charged ex-Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves on Tuesday over sexual assault on a woman. The woman accused the former professional basketball player of keeping her against her will and sexually assaulting on a motel.
Mateen Cleaves, 39 years old faces criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault and unlawful imprisonment charged, a Wayne County Prosecutor said, Chicago Tribune reported. Arrangements were also being made for Cleaves to surrender himself to authorities. The woman said she met the former basketball star on a Flint-area charity golf outing in September. After the event, she was taken to a motel in Mundy Township and was assaulted there.
The Daily Mail reported, the 24 year old woman escaped from the motel room and was helped by another woman in another room, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "The evidence in this case will show that the alleged actions of this defendant were not only criminal, but arose out of a sense of entitlement sometimes found in prominent people," source quoted. Genesee County officials transferred the case to Wayne County due to possible conflict of interest.
The counts the former professional basketball from Grand Blanc faces is punishable to 10 to 15 years of imprisonment, Detroit Free Press reported. His representing lawyer, Frank Manley is asking to reserve their judgment on his client until all the facts are presented. His arraignment is scheduled at the 67th District Court on Thursday.
Cleaves attended Flint Northern High School before going to Michigan State, where he led the Spartans to the NCAA championship in 2000 as the team's point guard. He was drafted by the Detroit in 2000 and spent six seasons in the NBA, playing for the Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers and Seattle Supersonics. The former basketball star also worked in the past as an analyst for at least two sports networks such as SiriusXM NBA Radio.
