After a stellar career with the Liberty Flames, forward Zach Cleveland is signing as an undrafted free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to his agency.
The Grizzlies are one of several NBA teams Cleveland worked out with in the days leading up to this past week’s draft, a list that also included the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns.
Cleveland played his fourth and final season for the Flames this past year. The 2025-26 Conference USA Player of the Year, All-CUSA first team and NABC East District first team selection averaged 11.9 points (No. 3 on team), 7.6 rebounds (No. 1 on team), 6.8 assists (No. 1 on team), 1.3 blocks (No. 1 on team) and 1.3 steals (No. 3 on team) per game. The Bloomington, Ill. native’s 6.8 assists per game led CUSA and ranked ninth nationally, and his 225 total assists were the third most in a single season in school history. His 6.64 defensive rebounds per contest also led the league and was the 14th-best mark in the country.
Cleveland shared the league lead with nine double-doubles and had the conference’s only triple-double (19 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) on Feb. 7 against Missouri State. Cleveland also earned 2025-26 Lou Henson Award finalist and Early Season Watch List recognition and was a 2025-26 Nolan Richardson Award finalist while being named CUSA Player of the Week twice.
Cleveland finished his Liberty Flames career with several other awards: two-time NABC All-District team, three-time All-CUSA, two-time Lou Henson Award finalist and Lou Henson Award Early Season Watch List, three-time CUSA Player of the Week, CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and ASUN Academic Honor Roll. He etched his name in the record books, ending his time as a Flame ranked fourth in program history for career assists (569), eighth in rebounds (749), 25th in points (1,220) and second in blocks (127).
Cleveland’s signing with the Grizzlies comes just one year after former Liberty guard Taelon Peter was drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Peter went on to have a strong rookie campaign playing on a two-contract with the Pacers and their G-League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom.
