Sophs to keep an eye on this season
December 5, 2011 7:08 PM
Meyers Leonard, 7-1 center, Illinois
This young man is going to make a lot of money playing this game, possibly as soon as next year. When I saw Leonard as a high school player, I was taken with his size, skills and agility. But he got pushed around last season and was often very emotional. Sometimes Bruce Weber wouldn't even know how to react to his outbursts. Leonard was on the bench for most of the season while two lesser talented (and equally soft) veteran big men, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale, ate up most of the minutes. After a terrific summer with USA Basketball, Leonard returned to Champaign stronger, more confident, and ready to take advantage of his opportunity to start. He had the best game of his career during last Saturday's win against Gonzaga, finishing with 21 points (on 9 for 11 shooting) and six rebounds. I wouldn't be surprised if he were a lottery pick next June.
Seth Davis
This young man is going to make a lot of money playing this game, possibly as soon as next year. When I saw Leonard as a high school player, I was taken with his size, skills and agility. But he got pushed around last season and was often very emotional. Sometimes Bruce Weber wouldn't even know how to react to his outbursts. Leonard was on the bench for most of the season while two lesser talented (and equally soft) veteran big men, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale, ate up most of the minutes. After a terrific summer with USA Basketball, Leonard returned to Champaign stronger, more confident, and ready to take advantage of his opportunity to start. He had the best game of his career during last Saturday's win against Gonzaga, finishing with 21 points (on 9 for 11 shooting) and six rebounds. I wouldn't be surprised if he were a lottery pick next June.
Seth Davis
Filed under: Illini Basketball
