Meyers Leonard has worked himself into being a late lottery pick with his showing at the combine and workouts with teams.
15. Meyers Leonard 7-0 250lbs Illinois Sophomore C 20 years old
2011-12 stats: 31.8 mpg, 13.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2 bpg, 58% fg, 73% ft
Prediction: Late lottery to mid 1st round
Strengths: Meyers Leonard is a skilled big man with legit NBA size and length for a center. He’s only 20 years old, played two years at Illinois, starting his 2nd and final year. For a man his size, he’s very athletic, jumps out of the building, is quick and agile. He won’t have any problem coming out and defending the pick and roll in the NBA, while being able to recover and get back to the paint and block shots. Offensively, he has the ability to score with his back to the basket and he can hit the jump shot out to 15 feet. He will force bigs to come out and check him on the perimeter because of his shooting ability.
Weaknesses: He is young and a bit raw and there is always a big gamble when drafting young big men. I would like to see him rebound the ball better and play with more of a mean streak. He at times can fall in love with floating on the perimeter offensively.
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