Living Up To The Potential: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

There did not appear to be too much for Illini fans to be excited about when highly recruited center Meyers Leonard finished his freshman season. After all, he averaged just 2 points and 1 rebound per game stuck behind a senior frontcourt rotation. But this season, Leonard has a different swagger that coach Bruce Weber noticed after the 7-footer participated in the U19 World Championships with Team USA; in the final three games, Leonard averaged 11.7 points and 6.3 rebounds.

NBA scouts already loved Leonard's potential as an agile center who runs the court well, but knew he needed time to put everything together. This season could be that time for Meyers Leonard.

By President Corey Ruff - 12 - 12 - 11