[NCarmean18Participant]

 A lot of people on this site have been wondering about Meyers Leonard.  Some people think he is projected to go too high because of the inexperience he has and his raw offensive ability.  However, there are also some people that think he is projected to go too low because he is a true center with excellent athleticism, and room to add strength and post skills to his game.  

Having been an Illinois fan, I have watched this guy all year long this past season.  I can tell you that from a college standpoint, he is truly a remarkable player.  This guy has the ability to take over a game when given the ball and a green-light, and he really is a guy you’d like to have on your roster.  Leonard is good at many things, however I don’t believe he is great at any certain thing.  

On offense, Leonard is still a work in progress.  He doesn’t have very many post skills, but he has showed signs of a promising offensive future.  Leonard is so big that he is likely to get a lot of double-teams, and he has shown the ability to past out of the post rather effectively.  He can back you down into the post and finish with either hand, shooting either around you or over you.  He has a decent mid-range jump shot that he can hit, but it’s rather awkward looking and you’d much rather see him take the ball inside and try to bang for an easy two points.  Leonard is also a pretty good free throw shooter for a big man, shooting around 70% for the season this past year.  

On defense, Leonard is rather effective.  He is so tall and athletic that it’s hard to drive on him.  He was the leading shot-blocker in the Big Ten last year at almost two blocks per contest.  Leonard is a good rebounder who brings the ball down with strength and authority, but he doesn’t bring down as many rebounds as you’d like a 7-footer to.  He is still learning, and he has the ability to get into foul trouble pretty easily.  He also complains more than you’d like coming out of college, which may lead to teams questioning his mental toughness and maturity.  

Overall analysis: Meyers Leonard is a rare prospect.  He’s a white, 7-foot, 240 lbs. center with room to add to his game.  He is a raw prospect on the offensive side of the ball with signs of improvement and he is a very good defensive player who impacts and blocks shots all of the time.  He is very tall, has a good wingspan, and is one of the most athletic players in the upcoming draft class, let alone big-men alone.  He can run the floor well and has a nice, soft touch around the rim.  He also has the ability to throw it down on the fast break.  

To be successful in the NBA, I think Meyers Leonard will need to play alongside a great passing point guard such as a Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, and Jason Kidd.  He didn’t have a true point guard at Illinois, which I think hurt his numbers a lot.  

Leonard’s mental state and maturity may be an issue to some NBA General Manager’s which may lead to some teams passing on him, but he is a fine player with the ability to improve.  I also think that once workouts begin that he will rise on mock drafts everywhere.  

For my final thoughts, I would take Leonard somewhere in the late lottery to early 20s.  Where do you think he will get drafted, and when would you take a chance on this physical specimen?

[JoeWolf1]

 "He’s a white, 7-foot 240lbs. center"

Why does that matter?

[Anton123Participant]

 A faster and better-coordinated Robin Lopez to me seems like a nice comparison.

I think he can be a nice prospect, with him being possibly the tallest player this draft and athletic too, I see him rising after the combine into the lottery, I think the team that takes him must understand he isn’t a star or franchise-changer, but a just a good servicable player

[Future_Scout’s board]

 i think that he’s not really good at playing defense in the post, he’s more of a weak side shot blocker where he uses his mobility and length to deflect shots. as far as D in the post he’s not very good. i like his right handed hook off the post. it looks very nice and is something that is likely see him developing. he needs to keep working on his body and needs to learn how to go up stronger. like you said his passing is very advanced, he without a doubt will find the open man when posting up.

overall, i think leonard is all about potential. not to many teams are looking to skip on the athletic 7 footer w/mobility and tons of potential.

 

[JoeWolf1]

He reminds me of Ian Mahinmi, athletic, long and capable of making a jump shot and a free throws, but it’s going to take him a couple years to be ready to contribute 20+ mpg regularly, IMO.

You see Leonard and how big he is and how he moves and get excited, but he’s not where he needs to be to be a starter or guy getting regular minutes in the NBA right now.  I think he’ll get more minutes early, because he’ll most likely not be playing for as vetaran teams like Mahinmi has, but I think he brings a lot of the same things to the table.

[Future_Scout’s board]

if by a couple years you mean "2", then yes i agree. i think he’s 12 min capable his first year. i think in after 2 yrs he should be able to contribute 20 mins

 

[Future_Scout’s board]

in the post he should look more for his own shot in college, he stayed trying to looks for others. if i was his coach i would told him to stop think like a guard and get his own dam shot in the post…. he’s a good passer out of the post but almost to a fault, and that flourishes in the nba with more talent and spacing and is gonna be his best move as a freshman. tho i think the likely scenario is teams not doubling, and just gamble on him making a play, which he is capable of. 

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

dude can be good if he loves bball….. some pll are scard just cuz hes raw he likely become a bust……

not true….

[ChewyParticipant]

He is a tough s.o.b. and will play like a true center, but is too skinny right now to be able to handle himself in the league. Can be a very good player in 3 years or so.

[Author]

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