Meyers Leonard and the USA U19 team in the FIBA World Championships, June 30-July 10, Latvia

[illiniparkie]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...BA.U19s/1.html

Also, another article about the team from ESPN.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...erience-latvia

"The 19 is the toughest for us to win,'' Boeheim said. "The other teams have been together for three to four years. They are there for the 16, 17, 18, 19. It makes it tougher for us to win. Lithuania was by far the best team and I was happy that we were able to beat them in a game. That was a huge, huge upset, but against Russia we couldn't make a 3-point shot. We had all new guys."

Michigan State will lean heavily on Keith Appling (11 assists, seven turnovers) in Kalin Lucas' absence, while Illinois can certainly expect increased playing time and production out of big man Meyers Leonard (6.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

[jmontgo3]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

Page 3 at the bottom is interesting. Apparently 29 players declined invites to the U19 team including Jared Sullinger.

Agreed, I'm surprised by that as well. I particularly agree with his quote:

There's no way that shoe-camp pickup games were more enriching than the experience of trying to keep Lithuania from winning gold.

I'm glad Meyers participated, no doubt.

[HeartofaChampion]

Originally Posted by jmontgo3

Agreed, I'm surprised by that as well. I particularly agree with his quote:



I'm glad Meyers participated, no doubt.

Me, too. He seemed to grow some as a player from the experience. In fact, the 5 spot is probably a lesser worry than the 4 spot now for next year. Hopefully his Team USA experience will fuel his summer and fall workouts along with the Italy tour. At the least, he should be ahead of his UI teammates in terms of preparation for Italy. Looking forward to his contributions next season.

[james81]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Me, too. He seemed to grow some as a player from the experience. In fact, the 5 spot is probably a lesser worry than the 4 spot now for next year. Hopefully his Team USA experience will fuel his summer and fall workouts along with the Italy tour. At the least, he should be ahead of his UI teammates in terms of preparation for Italy. Looking forward to his contributions next season.

The difference in performance between his first and last games was notable, an indication of both talent and increased confidence. In addition he was playing with individuals who also wanted to perform well, and as a result were probably less team players (ala Jackson) than what will be the case this fall. Overall it reinforces my belief that he could be a pro prospect by the end of the season. That's not to say he will achieve his potential this year, but his trajectory is clear, and at the end of that road is the NBA.

[VTIllini]

Originally Posted by james81

The difference in performance between his first and last games was notable, an indication of both talent and increased confidence. In addition he was playing with individuals who also wanted to perform well, and as a result were probably less team players (ala Jackson) than what will be the case this fall. Overall it reinforces my belief that he could be a pro prospect by the end of the season. That's not to say he will achieve his potential this year, but his trajectory is clear, and at the end of that road is the NBA.

No doubt he is a pro prospect, but it won't be next year. He's made progress, but still needs at least two seasons to mature enough for that jump.

[Indicchief]

Originally Posted by VTIllini

No doubt he is a pro prospect, but it won't be next year. He's made progress, but still needs at least two seasons to mature enough for that jump.

While that may be true (two seasons), the question is how will those two seasons be divided between IL and NBA. Both at IL or one each between the two. The NBA too has its own interests and may want him to be in the NBA?

I feel he is gone. That the NBA will take the risk of that one year.

[JJB]

Originally Posted by Indicchief

While that may be true (two seasons), the question is how will those two seasons be divided between IL and NBA. Both at IL or one each between the two. The NBA too has its own interests and may want him to be in the NBA?

I feel he is gone. That the NBA will take the risk of that one year.

Next year's draft will be loaded, so who knows if Leonard will rank in the top 20 prospects next year.

[ratdawg]

Does the pic of the fan in the hat (above)with the beard look similar to Weber around the eyes

[jmwillini]

Originally Posted by ratdawg

Does the pic of the fan in the hat (above)with the beard look similar to Weber around the eyes

There's a picture of a fan with a hat? I almost missed it..., the other picture was way too disturbing

[DaytonIllini]

Originally Posted by jmwillini

There's a picture of a fan with a hat? I almost missed it..., the other picture was way too disturbing

+1

[MTILLINOIS]

Remember, big men take longer to develope. Odds are Meyers will be here for four years. Anything less than that, would be a shocker.

[AK Illini]

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

Remember, big men take longer to develope. Odds are Meyers will be here for four years. Anything less than that, would be a shocker.

meh, i'd say 4 is the least likely of the 3 remaining options, i say he's gone after his 3rd season.

[Calvin]

Originally Posted by AK Illini

meh, i'd say 4 is the least likely of the 3 remaining options, i say he's gone after his 3rd season.

We're speculating, obviously, but if I were basing his prospects on his FR year only, I'm not sure I'd even project him as a first rounder. Based on his recent improvements, though, all bets are off. If he understands what he's working for, his ceiling is very high. You just don't see many true 7 footers with his athleticism and attitude (easy going non-entitled kid).

I could see us getting very worried later this season if he continues to progress. It doesn't take much for a young big to get drafted on potential, and if he shows a good arc, he'll have options even if he still needs more development.

How about this: he has a breakout season, and with our other talented players, puts us in a contention for a deep run in 12/13. Parker commits, and we're a national title contender.

[ChicagoFan]

I'll be shocked if Meyers stays 4 years. If the draft wasn't so rich next year, I'd guess he'd leave then.

This isn't your Dad's NBA. Bigs don't need traditional post moves anymore. The ability to block shots, get up and down the floor, finish on the break and hit an open jumper are far more important. It's almost entirely a pick and roll/pop league now. Meyers isn't a post up guy. I doubt he ever will be. He's in the mold of a Tyson Chandler or a Marcus Camby. Chandler still has no offensive game and I'm sure he'd still be a lottery pick. With the way the game has changed, bigs don't need to post up to have an impact.

[james81]

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

Remember, big men take longer to develope. Odds are Meyers will be here for four years. Anything less than that, would be a shocker.

Actually, based on an analysis I read about a year ago, post players tend to get drafted into the NBA earlier than any other position.

[Illini70math]

Now it's only words, but Meyers specifically said recently that he wants to be a lottery pick. I don't think he sees himself leaving after this season, fwiw.

Considering how he played as a freshman, and how he played for Team USA, anyone who doesn't think he could be gone in two years is being naive in my opinion. As it is, he was playing at least equal to Patric Young in the last three games; indeed, he actually had more time and much better stats than Young or Mitchell in those three games.

As of now, I don't expect him to leave after this season, but then I wouldn't bet the farm on it either. There are not very many guys out there with his size and athleticism. It wouldn't take a terribly brave GM to take Meyers with the twelfth pick, say. You could look like a genius two or three years down the road. It is certainly as reasonable as a lot of the Euros who got taken this time in the top 10.

[hermie1985]

I think he is a 3 and done. He will make strides this year but should be a force his junior year. I want to hear, "Meyers rebounds, kicks out and the Illini are off and running".

[Capt Slammie]

Originally Posted by hermie1985

I think he is a 3 and done. He will make strides this year but should be a force his junior year. I want to hear, "Meyers rebounds, kicks out and the Illini are off and running".

I agree with this estimate - 3 and done. Meyers will have to decide if going 12-15 in the '12 draft is more beneficial than going 1-8 in the '13 draft.

He also has to factor in his comfort and maturity levels. He has such a young and playful spirit that leaving the protected and stable college campus life for a professional life of hotel rooms and high stakes might not seem that appealing. The more maturing he does in college the greater rewards he'll receive throughout his life. I hope for his sake he is taking economics and finance classes - he'll need them.

[SaltLife]

No one knows for certain with Meyers except barring injury he's NBA bound. His advisors will guide him and if he's projected as a lottery pick as early as 2012 he may be gone. I hope he stays though for a junior season and plays on what may be a an extra special team but I wouldn't count on it if the NBA comes knocking hard.

. . in the U.S.' final three games -- he was the best big man on the floor, hustling for blocks, rebounds and buckets in transition. If he can bring that energy to Illinois for 20-plus minutes a game next season, he'll be one of the breakout players in the Big Ten.