Chicago standout Devin Cleveland is taking the next step in his basketball journey. The rising junior guard announced that he will transfer from Kenwood Academy to the nationally renowned La Lumiere School in Indiana for the 2025-26 academic year.
Cleveland, who stands 6-foot-3, was instrumental in Kenwood’s historic 2024-25 season. As a sophomore, he averaged 21 points per game and helped lead the Broncos to their first-ever city title in February, followed by a run to the Class 4A supersectionals. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on both the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area and All-City teams.
According to Chicago Sun-Times, Cleveland is ranked No. 25 in the Class of 2027 by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN—further proof of his growing national profile.
The decision to transfer wasn’t sudden. Cleveland’s father, Fred Cleveland Sr., shared that the family had previously discussed the move. “We had talked about leaving last year and we decided to come back. He wanted to do one more year at Kenwood. It worked out good,” he told the Sun-Times. “I wanted [Devin] to be tested more and he wanted to be tested more.”
La Lumiere, a prep basketball powerhouse, has produced several high-level college and NBA players, offering elite competition and national visibility—both crucial factors in Cleveland’s decision.
Cleveland joins a growing list of Illinois high school stars opting to finish their careers at national prep programs. Most recently, Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson, the Sun-Times 2025 Player of the Year, announced his transfer to Compass Prep in Missouri.
With offers from Arizona State, DePaul, Illinois, Michigan, and others already on the table, Cleveland’s move signals a focus on sharpening his skills in preparation for collegiate—and potentially professional—basketball.
As the landscape of high school basketball continues to shift, Cleveland’s transfer underscores the increasing importance of exposure, development, and strategic decision-making in the careers of elite young athletes.
