Two-time NBL Defensive Player of the Year Antonious Cleveland left college without ever hearing of the NBL.

But one unexpected phone call to fill in for Melbourne United against the Oklahoma City Thunder changed everything, setting him on the path to one of the most impressive import careers in recent NBL history.

The former Adelaide 36ers and Illawarra Hawks star appeared on Episode 3 of NBL: Alumni, where past imports share stories from their time in Australia.

Watch live coverage of NBL and WNBL 2025-26 seasons with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Cleveland detailed how a single exhibition game in 2017 ultimately led to back-to-back DPOY awards years later.
Cleveland — the only import to win consecutive Defensive Player of the Year trophies since Darnell Mee 20 years ago — graduated from Southeast Missouri State in 2017.

One of his first opportunities came when NBL legend Chris Goulding was rushed in for an appendectomy, leaving Melbourne United one player short for their exhibition match with the Thunder.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 05: Antonius Cleveland of the 36ers drives to the basket under pressure from Rayjon Tucker of United during the round 18 NBL match between Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on February 05, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

He recalled how that moment opened a door and a chance to play against the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams.

“Chris Goulding had to have emergency surgery and they (United) needed a player at the last minute,” he said.

“So after a phone call, I met Melbourne in Oklahoma City in 2017.”

Melbourne United faced OKC on October 9, 2017, falling short 86–85. Cleveland played 13 minutes scoring two points.

“Casper (Ware) was on that team as well. Casper, Casey Prather and Josh Boone,” Cleveland said.

“I played one game with them and after the game I spoke with Dean (Vickerman) and the staff and they was like, ‘come on and join, we want you.’ At that time I was fixated on the NBA, so I just was like, ah, not right now.”

But that one game left a mark.“I always had Australia in the back of my mind. And just when the opportunity came, me and my agent thought it was the best decision.”

Melbourne United went on to win the NBL championship that season — defeating the Adelaide 36ers in a 3–2 series — a team Cleveland would ironically join in 2022.

CLUTCH! Boomers win it at the buzzer | 00:11

Two NBL seasons later for the Illawarra Hawks and Adelaide 36ers, Cleveland hoped to re-sign with Adelaide. But in late July 2023, EuroLeague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv delivered an offer he couldn’t ignore.

“If it was up to me, I would have returned to Adelaide,” he said.

“I love Adelaide so much and Australia so much that I was almost about to give up a EuroLeague… but to be honest, that’s a no-no. You can’t do that. My agent was like, I know you love Australia. I know you love Adelaide, but you have to do this for your career.”

Despite the emotional difficulty of leaving, turning down a giant club in Europe is not something one should consider.

“You don’t turn away one of the best teams in Europe because you want to keep chilling with your feet in the sand in Australia,” he said.
“As a pro and an elite player, you take elite jobs, you take the challenge.”

“It was tough, man… me and my family, I did not want to leave.”

Now playing in Europe’s top competitions, Cleveland says he still has unfinished business in Australia.

“I want to return to the NBL and I want to return to the 36ers,” he said.
“It’s always been on my to-do list since I left.”

Watch the full interview in the video player above.