Noah Cleveland Lights Up Court for IWU in Elite 8 Push!
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — A year ago, the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin player of the year wasn’t even playing hoops. Perhaps that turned out to be a good thing.
Illinois Wesleyan’s Noah Cleveland says he’s rejuvenated after a year away from hoops and it shows. He’s leading the Titans to the Division III Elite 8. “Mentally, I’m a little smarter.
Physically, I was in the weight room a lot,” Cleveland said. “I’m more focused on winning than how I’m doing individually. That’s a big part of my mindset.
” The 6-8 forward took a year off of basketball after graduating from Normal Community High School. IWU recruited him hard during his high school career, but Cleveland stayed away from organized basketball last year. “I was still active in the weight room and the gym.
I was still running here and there. It wasn’t like going from nothing to everything,” Cleveland said. “I was staying active.