YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. |  Carl Cleveland has made history for Young Harris College, becoming the first All-American in the men's basketball program and the first All-American in the institution's athletic history.

Cleveland's journey to this moment is defined by resilience, growth, and excellence. Following ankle surgery, he was forced to miss the entire 2022–23 season, a setback that paused his momentum but ultimately set the stage for one of the most remarkable comebacks in program history. His return to the court earned him recognition as the Conference Carolinas Comeback Athlete of the Year, an award given to a student-athlete who overcomes significant injury and makes a major impact upon returning to competition.

From that point forward, Cleveland steadily built one of the most decorated careers in Young Harris College Athletics history. Excelling both on the court and in the classroom, he was named the 2024–25 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. A senior double major in Elementary Education and Management, Cleveland maintained a 3.74 GPA and earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors.

As his senior season unfolded, Cleveland's national recognition continued to grow. He was named to the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List, an honor that places him among the top players across all small college basketball levels nationwide. He later earned a spot on the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List, recognizing the top senior careers in small college basketball.

Cleveland's performance on the court matched the recognition. He was named the 2025–26 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Player of the Year, becoming the first player in program history to earn the conference's top individual honor. He also earned Conference Carolinas Championship Most Valuable Player honors, leading the Mountain Lions to a 22-win season and the program's first Conference Carolinas Championship under head coach Jeremy Currier.

The star athlete's impact extended beyond the conference level, as Cleveland was named the D2CCA Southeast Region Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Southeast Region honors. He was also selected to the NABC Division II All-District Southeast First Team, as voted on by coaches across the region, further solidifying his standing as one of the top players in NCAA Division II.

Throughout the season, Cleveland consistently performed at an elite level, earning six Conference Carolinas Player of the Week honors, one Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week recognition, and multiple selections by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He was also named the D2CIDA National Player of the Week, highlighting his impact on the national stage.

Carl Cleveland's YH career is wrapped up this 2026 year with record book worthy numbers. Cleveland is noted as the all-time leader in points at 2,344, rebounds at 940 and total number of games played at 125; he finished with 115 career starts and made 789 field goals, marking all program records surpassed. On average during his senior season, he tallied 26.4 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game (248 total), 2.5 assists per game and 36.5 minutes played per game. The athlete's staggering numbers proves that he was the most deserving recipient of this impressive honor.

Cleveland's All-American selection now stands as the defining achievement of his career, placing him among the nation's elite and marking a milestone moment for the Young Harris program. Head Coach Jeremy Currier once described Carl Cleveland as "a leader amongst his teammates on the court"; his legacy will be remembered not only for his milestones and achievements, but for setting a new standard of excellence for future Mountain Lions.