But then comes back with 19p/ 16r/ 3b. One play and he's out. Oops there's a dunk, now he is in. Gonna be a long year.

Maybe it's because we haven't had a player with ambitions to leave early in awhile (JR doesn't count), but does it sound like Meyer's is being really straight forward with that response above? I don't mind it at all. I kind of like the honesty. I'm just not used to hearing a response laid out like that.

As has been stated on this thread, Leonard may be a lottery pick and still not be ready for the NBA emotionally or have NBA level basketball ability.

IMHO, Leonard needs to be thinking "do I want to be on a NBA roster and not really have NBA skills or strength?" "Am I ready for NBA life?"

I would love to see him as an Illini one more year, but hope he makes the right decision.

He is a lottery pick so we better enjoy him this year. No question this will be his last barring injury or change of heart from ML

Usually early entries are much more coy about their intentions. I agree with you though it is refreshing.

Klee stated again last night that the 3 scouts and one NBA personnel director he talked to all have Meyers at worst as middle of the first round. Some have him as the number one center on their board.

NBA drafts on potential. Meyers has a ton.

I certainly can't begrudge a young man for following his dream and earning a paycheck. These guys are only ever one injury away from being out of a career. Better he goes and gets his money and helps his family IMHO.

Agreed and they only have a small window of time to make this money. Usually by age 35 or before the body won't let you compete any more. At best you have 15 years or so to make money playing basketball.

Meyers can go pro and get paid a lot of money to work on his game full-time with top-notch trainers. Makes sense to go, even if he's not going to be an impact player in the pros for a year or so.

I love his straightforwardness. Sounds like he has his head on straight and has a really good reason to want to start making big bucks soon--taking care of his mom. Gotta love a kid like that!

Here's to enjoying him as an Illini for this season, and wishing him the best in the NBA! Nothing wrong with having another lottery pick on Weber's resume, either. Hopefully Jabari will take notice :):):)

NBA
 

Everytime, I see him, my first thought is that he appears to be "just a big kid," though his maturity has improved this year. Undoubtly, another year with the ILLINI would help him as a player and a person before jumping, and probably be supported by most NBA scouts and coaches.But as pointed out numerous times by other posters to be a lottery pick, ready or not, and the millions $$$ sitting out there, he has to go. Timing is so important, as the cliche says, One in hand is worth more, than two ....., Corney, but true. I hope he is not a lottery pick and stays another year.

Not the same, but anytime, I think of timing, the coach at SIU, Lowery, remember when he was such a hot ticket, and now after a run of less than stellar years, he is not even mentioned as a candidate for a major program. I can't remember, why he stayed in Carbondale back then, but he may leave after this season, 3-5, by a decision other than his own?

I would hope, if he goes after this year, Leonard would get with an NBA team, who would have a team, coaches and environment for him to delvelop. The SPURS, Coach Pop, small town atmosphere of SA, learn from Duncan...works for me. ;)

AI :chief: :illinois:

Leonard Keeps BB in Perspective
 

"The arrival of Christmas each year brings Meyers Leonard a growing understanding of life's non-material gifts.

The love for his mother, whose health does not allow her to see the 7-foot-1 Illinois center play basketball. The respect for his brother, Bailey, who is on his second tour of duty as a Marine in Afghanistan. And an appreciation that can't be measured for a family in his hometown of Robinson, Ill., that helped guide Leonard after his father died when he was 6.

"Christmas is about having that feeling of people caring about you and you caring about others," the Illini sophomore said. "I grew up without money. It was never about the gifts. I never had a lot of gifts under the tree, but that made me grow up to respect life even more, by far."

Some time in the not too distant future, an NBA team is likely to bestow upon Leonard more money than he can fathom. He already is considered a first-round talent with the potential to move higher. . ."

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/illini/leonard-keeps-basketball-in-perspective/article_6f7f276d-4f31-5163-aa5c-c87c8b2eeba9.html


I am enjoying watching this kid while we have him this season.

I knew he was pretty good, but potential to move higher than the first round?! Wow, we should be worried about him jumping to the NBA before this season is over I guess.

Um, excuse me, it's "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." And corny? CORNY!?! That is one of my favorite sayings of all time. You better watch it, pal!

:mad::mad::mad::mad:;)

NBA
 

Everytime, I see him, my first thought is that he appears to be "just a big kid," though his maturity has improved this year. Undoubtly, another year with the ILLINI would help him as a player and a person before jumping, and probably be supported by most NBA scouts and coaches.But as pointed out numerous times by other posters to be a lottery pick, ready or not, and the millions $$$ sitting out there, he has to go. Timing is so important, as the cliche says, One in hand is worth more, than two ....., Corney, but true. I hope he is not a lottery pick and stays another year.

Not the same, but anytime, I think of timing, the coach at SIU, Lowery, remember when he was such a hot ticket, and now after a run of less than stellar years, he is not even mentioned as a candidate for a major program. I can't remember, why he stayed in Carbondale back then, but he may leave after this season, 3-5, by a decision other than his own?

I would hope, if he goes after this year, Leonard would get with an NBA team, who would have a team, coaches and environment for him to delvelop. The SPURS, Coach Pop, small town atmosphere of SA, learn from Duncan...works for me. ;)

AI :chief: :illinois:

Never underestimate the stupidity of NBA GM's.

NBADraft.net has finally moved him to lottery status.

http://nbadraft.net/

First Illini there since Deron. We need a few more of those before the Parkers and Okafors start thinking ILL first.

1 *New Orleans Andre Drummond Fr.
2 Cleveland Jeremy Lamb So.
3 Toronto Anthony Davis Fr.
4 Washington Perry Jones So.
5 *Sacramento Harrison Barnes So.
6 New Jersey Jared Sullinger So.
7 Detroit Terrence Ross So.
8 *LA Clippers Brad Beal Fr.
9 *Charlotte Thomas Robinson Jr.
10 Milwaukee Austin Rivers Fr.
11 *Utah Myck Kabongo Fr.
12 *Utah Meyers Leonard So.
13 Phoenix Michael Kidd-Gil... Fr.
14 *Houston Kendall Marshall So.

I really, really like honesty. This seems like a very honest and straight forward answer.

It is also what most of us were thinking already.

Let's face it... the only thing us Illini have going for us on this topic is that it is a really really talented draft class. No one can blame the kid for going pro if he is a lottery pick. In the same position at least 9 out of 10 of the people reading this would do the same.

Hopefully Meyers realizes, unlike others before him, that he draft position will be impacted greatly on the team's performance in March. DWill is a perfect example. He was not as highly regarded during the early portion of the season as he was after the run to the title game. Kemba Walker made million last March with their run. '

Also, it can do nothing but help the program long term to have Meyers taking in the top 10. I'm sure Alexander and Okafor would notice that.

I'd love ML to stay, but couldn't begrudge him in the least if he went.

I wonder who he'll be listening to in terms of whether or not he'll be a lottery pick. Not to draw comparisons regarding NBA-worthiness, but if memory serves we had some players who were pretty convinced by the people whispering in their ears that they'd be drafted...

I'm just happy to hear him say if he's a middle 1st rd. pick, he'll likely stay, which makes a lot of sense. Staying around one more year would likely take him to a top 5 kind of pick, which would make him significantly more than a middle rd. pick.

At this point, I'm thinking he's a lotter pick and it's "bye, bye Meyers". It will be what it will be. Play like a tower of power, ML, and show the BIG and the scouts what you're made of. Everybody sees nearly limitless potential, still a lot untapped. Somebody is going to be willing to take a major diamond in the rough with this kid. I wouldn't wager the farm on it, but that's only because on principle I don't gamble.

Leonard needs to stay one more year. There are plenty of other more hyped big men in the NCAA in addition to the International players none of us have ever heard of. One more year will do him alot of good basketball wise and it sounds like his supporters are education oriented so I think he will be back next year.

In my mind I have this fantasy where Jabari Parker is considering coming to Illinois if Meyers Leonard stays so Meyers stays for a 4th year and Jabari joins the team. Yes, i know I dream big.

It has little or nothing to do with what anybody thinks ML should do, unless the "anybodies" are pro scouts and they conclude he needs to stay another year. Don't bet on it. ML's told us if he's a lottery pick, he's likely gone. I think he'll be a lottery pick unless he just plays like a baboon the rest of the season and completely steps on it.

I agree with Leonard's statement. The general rule of thumb is if you're guaranteed to be a Lottery pick, you go. If not stay.

I don't think he will be a lottery pick. However, if he happened to be, I believe he is one that is nowhere close to being ready.

How many times does it need to be said that it doesn't matter if he's ready yet? If you're an NBA scout, you're thinking something like "Wow, that kid has such potential." Say it with me. Potential. Potential. POTENTIAL.

Against Mizzou he didn't have a dominating performance. But he showed an array of skills. He hit that he 20 footer, buried his FTs, and had a thunderous jam. He had some blocked shots, altered other shots, and ran the floor well while playing heavy minutes. With every game I watch, I'm more certain that he's gone after this season. That's why I'm hoping for some big performances once conference play starts up. Let's get all we can out of him. Remember, we're about a third of the way through what might as well be his freshman season.

Lottery picks block shots at the end of important games

the hype he is getting regardless of his play / along with his potential, size, freak athelete etc... it does not matter if he averages 7 points a game..have non of you seen the nba draft before!!!! way worse players were drafted top 5 then him..this thread sucks , for the basketball stupid, i will not return to this thread.

The guy has the potential to come back next year with the rest of the team and be the #1 overall pick. It would be short sided for him to jump at the ability to be 10th pick in the draft. I spent 4 years in Champaign, trust me, spending an extra year there is not the worst thing in the world.

lol,,but would you pass up 20 million, or whatever, just for being 9 spots lower in the draft to stay at c-u..i bet you did not have that option nor do most.. or have an ill mother and brother in military etc. etc. 1 or 9 give me a break, he will make up that money most likely down the road and have extra year under his belt of cash in pocket. damn it, why did i come back here.

You're right I didn't have that option, but you look at guys who come back and generally does it not work out for them. My honest opinion is the guys not mentally ready to go play pro-basketball. Obviously in his mind that counts for zero, but until he can control the paint at both ends of the court, he isn't read to go pro and be a lottery pick.

but he came from poverty. he said he didn't always have Christmas presents, he basically had a surrogate family, and that he wants to help his family out as much as possible. he's had to change his phone number to avoid calls from agents and team reps. he said in the article posted on the home page that if he's a lottery pick he's probably gone. therefore, what you just said isn't at all important to him. it's pretty black and white for him. also, he mentioned the staff is not going to have much input as to what he decides so weber's almost certainly not going to convince him to come back. it is what it is so deal with it.

for all you idiots who don't think he's good enough to be a lottery pick look at this- http://nbadraft.net/. it's not about how polished he is now, it's about how good he eventually can be.

And repeat after me... I DID NOT say he would not be drafted or drafted early... I DID say I don't think he is ready. My contention is simply that I believe it would be a mistake for him to make the jump. He has far too much to work on.

And, as for tonight, he once again didn't take many shots from any range, was outplayed in the post by a guy that was 5 inches shorter than him, wasn't very active under the basket, did pass the ball well, had a little trouble with his hands, showed no ability to post anyone up, spent most of his time above the free throw line on offense when his skills are better suited to play down low and was sucking wind (which would not be a problem if he truly played in the post but if he is going to play like a small forward, then he needs to be able to run the floor and hit jumpers).

Did you see the alley-oop tonight? He gone

Most of the people saying Meyers isn't ready are putting the program before the kid. That's sad. H's good enough. He's ready. There isn't a thing that playing another year of college ball can teach him that the league can't. In fact, he's better of leaving and learning from the pros. Thanks for loving the illini Meyers. Good luck, my friend.

Not true. Playing time and competing against players with the same skill level. There are plenty of centers that entered the league when they should of stood another year. If we are talking about money then he should leave but if he wants to grow as a player he should stay.

Think about this for a moment...a killer seventh grader playing against regular kids his age, that same kid being bumped up to play with the bigger, smarter, stronger more athletic 8th graders every night. He is gonna get better playing up to competition and not down to the normal, we see it happen all the time.

I couldn't agree more. I would love to see Meyers stay and it might well work out for him if he does. After a third year, he will be bigger, stronger and more experienced. His draft stock might move up. That could work out. But he could be injured (can anyone spell Hummel?) and that we all know.

But my real question is "Why in the world are so many people on here presuming to have a better opinion of Meyer's place in the NBA draft than NBA scouts?" It is just crazy that we, the fan, would presume to better evaluate his worth to an NBA team than the scouts.

Meyers has been honest with us . . . and I appreciate that. I also respect what he has said. It makes total sense to me. If I was predicted to go lottery, I would absolutely go lottery. I went to college to get a good job. Period. That is a good job. A really, really good job.

If the scouting profile is "lottery" and he is gone, let's celebrate the fact that another Illinois student got a great job. I for one will be happy for him

Meyers is once ACL/MCL from an ended career. If you have the chance to jump. You jump! You can always come back to college. You can't always be drafted in the NBA.

BTW I want Meyers to stay but I don't blame him if he goes.

Meh, lotta silly posts here IMO. The situation is fluid. Meyers has only very recently demonstrated he is a draft worthy player. There's been a lotta tall guys drafted that can't contribute on a pro team. Skill, work ethic, maturity, off the court stuff --there are tons of reasons why they fail. No one in their right mind was saying he was ready going into this season, and at the start of this thread he was the #1 pick (yeah right).

Personally, I expect ML to be gone after this season. Where, hard to say. He's agile and showing improved skill, but as the draft gets closer, their is a tendency to concentrate on a players weaknesses, not strengths. I haven't seen enough of the high level players to have an opinion anyway, but he passes the eye test.

His quick progression says to me he can get a lot better, and do so relatively quickly. Lottery is still a question in my mind, but if I were a betting man, I'd say he will be. As others have said, his personal situation means he's gone if his stock is high, so that's what I expect. After BIG play, I'll have more of an opinion on whether he could benefit from another year in college, but at this point, I'm thinking he'll be in pretty good shape based off his soph year.

+1


Read the great article from Stltoday. I was a little confused by the public
comments from B Weber about talking with Myers AFTER Christmas.

Buy insurance. The NCAA has a program for this.

NCAA's Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance program does not payout unless any injury is career-ending. If you blow out an ACL, have back surgery etc, blow out a knee and can still play basketball but just not at the NBA level -> no payout. i believe over the history of the program only 5 or 6 athletes have received payouts in all NCAA sports combined.

Quite risky even with the insurance.

Thought about this also, wonder how much something like this would be?:confused:

Looks easy enough to enroll,and be financed but would it really cover much?

Did not know this, so this is very interesting.

And on top of your observations about chances of being paid, aren't we talking about a guy with very limited finances, who often didn't have presents under the tree? So, what is he supposed to buy the insurance with?

Googling NCAA and INSURANCE I found a little info. Seems like it is very easy to enroll and nothing comes due till a pro contract or so on happens...looks like a normal insurance policy other than no payments are made until the end. Insurance is a business though and companies are there to make money, not a 20 year old's dreams come true.

You can get a loan from the NCAA. 50k is the cost.

I'm with you completely. People should just say, "I want him to stay another year." Don't we all?! But none of that matters one iota. It's all what the scouts say and what the clubs see in him. I see an incredible prospect, with as much upside as I've seen in any Illinois player. Ever. And that's over 50 years of following the Illini closely. I'm not saying he's the most talented, but his combination of size, skill, and athletic ability could make him a once-in-a-generation kind of player. What was his line last night--14 pts, 13 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, I think? The guy is 7'1". He's starting to put skill with all that raw athleticism. It's really fun to see him developing. He's not just a good athlete, either, he's showing a real feel for the game and a desire to lead.

And, as we watch him progress, I share your rising view that he will not be back at Illinois next year. I most certainly hope he does return, because with all the talent and experience we have coming back, and with Abrams having a year to learn the point, Illinois could be formidable. Without him, we'll be a pretty average team, I think.

Good post and I agree completely. He probably won't be back which is unfortunate for us as a team but terrific for him. I think his ceiling is higher than any previous Illini who went pro.

DraftExpress has Meyers going #12 in 2013. Meyers is a having a good year, but some are overrating our guy. I recall that DMac was a 1st rounder last year too.

Look at it another way--how many other big men in the country fit the NBA model for centers and have shown the potential that Leonard has? I think it's a very very short list. The fact that ML is 7'1" with the frame to put on more weight moves him up further on that list, irrespective of his stat line.

Draftexpress is a very good draft board. So apparently NBA scouts still have some questions about him. Meyers is currently a finesse big man. The NBA likes guys who frequently bang inside.

It's a very short list even among players already in the NBA. Good centers are an endangered species in the NBA these days.

Meyer's situation is not comparable to that kind of situation. He is not dominating at the college level. He is not ready to play with the big boys right now. He may have the athletic ability but he is lacking low post ability. He needs to improve his skills in the post at the college level against college players because the NBA will eat him up in the post. You dont usually send a seventh grader to play with eighth graders if that seventh grader is a center that struggles to learn how to post up against seventh graders.

Like I have already hinted at earlier, Meyers may be drafted high enough to earn multimillion dollars a year but that does not mean he will have a better opportunity at learning his craft. Lack of playing time can stunt his growth and being outplayed on a daily basis by a player with less potential can hurt his confidence.

Just because a seventh grader has high math scores does not mean we can ignore his less than average reading scores.

The pro scouts and GMs make their living at finding and developing talent. If they are willing to make Meyers a lottery pick and invest big $$$ in his potential and development then I trust they know more about it than we do. The only opinions that really matter are the scouts, GMs and Meyers'.

When it comes to being drafted thats true but that does not mean that he will be a success in the NBA. We have seen it so many times in the past. A player is selected based off of potential or athletic ability and they never blossom.

That's true, but there have been really good college players that didn't make it in the NBA. I want see how much he develops throught the rest of the season, I think that will tell us alot. I still think the risk of injury will play a part in his decision.

NBAdraft.net has him also going at 12, but in the 2012 draft. He continues to move up and will continue to do so barring an epic collapse or injury.

Add that to the info Klee has been passing along from the scouts and NBA personnel directors he talks to and I'd say it's a 90% chance Leonard is gone after this year. And if he is projected that high he should go.

Verifying link?

http://www.ramblingpoke.com/2011/01/...isability.html

The article discusses FB but seems applicable. Though BB has euro leagues. Which we're all aware of. More interesting is that the NCAA is not the only source of coverage. So, what gets covered is potentially negotiable even if it'd be expensive.

I would think that, as with most insurance, you can buy coverage for whatever you want. It's just a matter of how much you want to spend.

Did not come out quite the way I wanted it. Did not necessarily mean to say he was dominating everyone. I believe he would do better with much more time to practice and much more talent around him coaching and player wise.

However that is just my opinion like the one you mentioned where his confidence could be hurt in your post.

Playing with better players around him does not mean that he will ever learn how to become a beast in the post. He can turn into a passing center or a center that shoots the ball from further out because of better spacing from better offensive players. Playing in the post against better competition when he isnt ready for it can only hurt in his progression of that skill. Thats the reasons why we have grade levels in education, and somewhat why we have different levels of talent in highschool basketball and college basketball divisions..

Plenty of players refine their post moves throughout their career. You act like guys like these bigs are ready from the get go.

Playing against better players does not stunt your growth. That logic is horribly flawed and simply inaccurate.

Playing with better players around him will mean A. He actually gets more good post feeds and B. The NBA game and its spacing will allow Meyers more than .3 seconds to do a post move.

Does anybody watch Anthony Davis and think that kid's game is NBA ready? He hasn't displayed a post move on a decent big this year and he's going top 3.

If Myers Leonard can improve his defense and shot blocking as much as he has his offense and rebounding over last year, then we may have a future NBA star on the roster. I am still finding it difficult to believe he is the same guy we had last year that had trouble keeping his balance after he jumped up in the air. It has been an amazing turnaround for the better for sure. I really hope he stays at least one more year. :clappy:

NCAA.org -> NCAA's Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance.

Read Definition of Disability & Eligibility for Benefits (notably-> "continuous total disability exists")

Horribly flawed? LOL. So he gets the feed pass, then what? 3 seconds ? He will need more than 3 seconds if he doesnt have his positioning down. Fundamentals are easier to learn while playing competition that isnt far more advanced than you are. He comes out a little to receive the ball then he needs to back his man down. I did not say you can not learn in the NBA, I said its not as easy.

Watched an NBA game yesterday with this discussion in mind. The amount of space created by good 3 point shooters and by guards penetrating was noticeable. Just to many scoring threats on a good NBA team to try to shut down one guy. ML will be fine and he doesn't have to be great on day one anyway.

There is no doubt Meyers is leaving after this year. The pro scouts are drooling over this guy. He's going to be a beast in the NBA and a rich one at that.

Back in the summer I posted ML would need to have some double doubles for Illinois to do well. The # of posts telling me that was impossible were tremendous. Probably the same people who say he won't go high in the draft. I still say BIG wins will be in directly tied to his success. Feed the beast.

I'D like to see ML stay. He's going to be a lottery pick. Have fun , ML , get to final 4 , win NC and enjoy college life for another year. Nothing wrong with that , those guys at NC a couple years ago (hansborough , lawson , etc) could have bolted but stuck around for the NC and got it. Same with this years team , Henson , Barnes , Zeller could have bolted but stayed. Of course there are other examples. In the long run ML , you'll wished you had stayed. Talk to former ILLINI Eddie Johnson about that , he said as much.

No one can speak for ML or to his or his family's situation, needs, goals, and priorities. No one can say what is "best" for him, short term or long term. Comparisons to other players of other eras and other circumstances mean nothing.

He has said if he's a lottery pick, he'll go, and I firmly believe that to be the case, though we can't know if he'll be a lottery pick at this stage of things.

He has said if he's not a lottery pick, he'll likely return, and that's probably an honest statement, too. In that case, he might leave early, but there'd be a good chance he'll stay. Again, neither he, nor, certainly, we, have any idea what things will look like at the end of the season.

Given where it stands today, I would be most surprised if he stays. The departure of the rest of his recruiting class also could be a factor (I would think it might make him less inclined to stay, but if, for some reason, he didn't get along well with his classmates, perhaps it is a neutral or even a plus that they are gone).

Lottery teams are not usually a good team. As of right now I can not say if Meyers went today to play on an NBA team that he would end up blossoming into a beast. I do see MAJOR potential and do accept that by the end of the year he is more likely than not to progress into a worthy lottery selection, by NBA scouts standards. All I am saying is that there is a reason why not every college player with potential or supreme athletic ability are not ready to be pros. There is a reason why players like that do not go pro to learn while getting paid. Now Meyers is a Center and the NBA does take a much bigger risk on BigGuys but like I just said it is a MUCH bigger risk.

There is no doubt in my mind, Meyer's will be a very high NBA selection in this years draft.

Yeah, its beginning to look like a DONE deal.

Did u see the spin move in the lane in the 2 OT? That right there had NBA teams drooling all over themselves. He is gone and you do not understand less talented players than him have been drafted in the lottery.

2011 NBA Draft

1st Round/5th Pick
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jonas-valanciunas

1st Round/7th Pick
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/bismack-biyombo

What do these guys have in common? Both are considered to have limited to nonexistent offensive games. Both guys were taken in the lottery before Kemba Walker.

He didn't play like a prospect tonight. He got bullied and turnover turnover turnover... His jump ball passes he just threw up are signs he's not ready. I couldn't believe how amateur it was. AND LED TO MORE TURNOVERS!!! ahhh

He needs some more exp, on a level he can dominant.

N B A

Lol. I have stated before that I believe it was more likely than not that he would be a lottery pick. I do not get why you keep on acting as though Im saying he will not leave this year. All I am saying is that he has alot to learn in post offense and defense. Learning against college players first is a way easier path in gaining post skills. Then continuing to a higher level of course would help complete his post offense and defense abilities. I can see what your saying and understand that he may be able to get by with his other abilities to gain playing time in the NBA but it all matters what type of situation his future team is in. And yes, I saw that ridiculous spin move. Thats why I left that comment saying its beginning to look like a done deal.

I won't say it's a done deal....but it's a done deal.

I just hope he's playing his best ball in March/April and leading us to a deep run.

It's a done deal and has been for a while...he's far from a great college player and might not go top 5...but he's going and he should.

He's not that far. 3 double doubles in a row, 1 against a top team nationally...and making 2 game-on-the-line FTs...from a sophomore center??

It's not a done deal. The best of the web sites is Draft Express. They update weekly. They have him going in 2013 as the 5th pick (just after Cody Zeller). They had him bottom half of the first round in 2012 before his comment that he would go if he was a lottery and moved him to 2013 based on his input and the fact they don't currently think he's a lottery pick. They update weekly, and he is moving up, so he may end up there.

Just saying its not a done deal.

He's playing well right now, but the mistakes are still plentiful and his potential impact at this level still muted.

I am enjoying every minute Leonard plays this season.
Leonard had an extended pregame chat with Mbakwe yesterday, cautionary tale.

Once again the potential is there and has always been. I don't know how many posts of mine have been "Meyers is a beast". He still has a way to go but Leonard broke into the top 10 centers in college basketball and like everyone on here has stated is the 1st or 2nd best NBA prospect at center in college basketball. The stats might not show his whole game but they don't lie. Kid is putting up the numbers week after week.

I'm sorry to ML, the Illini, and our fans for my uncalled for post on ML especially on Christmas day when such a wonderful article was recently written on Leonard.

A lot will change from now to the end of March but IMO ML would benefit in several areas if he comes back for his Jr. Season. The question is, does he need the money? He could be a top 5 pick in 2013, be ready to contribute, get more PT, get more money and could possibly put the Illini back in the final four (maybe win it all). If he leaves after this season, I believe he goes as a late lottery pic and rides the pine.

I don't know what kind of kid ML is. Is he like Jared Sullinger and Harrison Barnes who want to win a championship and enjoy being in college or is he the guy who wants fast cash? I don't fault him for either choice but I hope he stays for his sake and ours as Illini fans.

I'd recommend reading the article in post #311.

Are we seriously having this argument? You've got to be the only one on this board who thinks he hasn't improved night and day from last year. Honestly, after seeing you stick to your comments when this was discussed earlier in the year, I don't find you even a little credible. Nothing personal, I just find it hard to believe we can agree on much related to basketball given your belief that ML isn't much of a contributor or significantly improved. :hand:

ML needs more time. I understand chasing the money but I think he will be 2-3 years and out if he goes this year. People on this board consistently overrate or underrate all of our players. There seems to be no middle ground.

This is not an unlikely outcome, but he may also end up a journeyman center who makes a lot of money. If he stays in school and refines his game, he will have a better chance at becoming an all star, maybe even the best center of his generation (which is really not saying a whole lot these days). He has the physical tools. He just needs to learn to play the game better, and college is a better place to learn than the NBA. Contrary to what some people have posted, there is very little practice time during an NBA season. There are simply too many games and too much travel time. Most NBA players work on their games in the off-season. Having said all that, I do not expect him to stay after this year, and that will not be a bad decision for him.

When players get feedback pre-draft, don't they get a chance to go to some work-outs where they're evaluated? I would think the only hope for ML coming back is A. he wants to run at a NC, or B. he doesn't do too well against other NBA bodies in workouts and his stock drops. Personally, I don't see either one, but hey, you never know.

It's a done deal. Meyers attended the Bradley/Wichita St game in Peoria last night and sat next to a sports agent at the game. Hopefully only getting friendly advice.....

If true I hope it was all done in a way that no rules were broken. After his play so far this year I think it's a foregone conclusion that he's gone.

I would assume it was on the up and up. He sat on the floor, for all to see....I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned on this board yet!

I'm guessing there was a thread like this last year at OSU and people like you all said it's a done deal, Sullinger is a lotto pick, he gone.

Sullinger's the outlier though. Also, their family's are in different situations. Plus, it's looking like Sullinger cost himself a couple million by staying. Not the best of examples.

Pretty big difference however, in that Sullinger SAID he was staying and Meyers has SAID that if he is a lottery pick, he is going. Let's just work with that for a moment.

Just more of the same inaccurate statements from you. He'll be 2-3 years and out? Just ridiculous.

Two of the most respected NBA mock drafts have Meyers Leonard going 12 now.

Oh and Doug GottlieB's recent ESPN Draft Board?

Has Meyers 7th ahead of Zeller and Sullinger.

I guess it's just us crazy Illini fans....