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Meyers Leonard

Meyers' Commitment Says Many Things For Weber and Crew
by Pat Benninger
July 29, 2008

Meyers Leonard has committed to Bruce Weber and University of Illinois on the heals of receiving their offer.

Leonard, a 6-foot-10 center from Robinson, Illinois rates as the top inside prospect for the in-state 2010 class. He's a good athlete with outstanding length, runs the floor well, and has a nice shot extending to about 18 feet. He's very young and should progress into a great player over his final two years of high school.

Meyers began seeing his stock rise this spring playing with Team Rameybasketball.com. He received an offer from Southern Illinois and continued receiving scholarships after competing in the Nike Hoops Jamboree. Indiana, Indiana State, Iowa, Missouri State, and Purdue are among the other schools who extended offers.

This is more than a regular commitment for the Illini. With the exception of this being a big recruiting coupe, it has much more meaning towards the future of University of Illinois men's basketball.

The first thing that catches your eye underneath this commitment is the fact that he is the 3rd member in an Illini class that currently only has two scholarships. The 2011 class has six members, 2012 has one, and 2013 has four. In total, that equals out to fourteen scholarships which imply's the Illini do not expect at least one of their players to return.

Seeing the fact that Leonard is a post player, it is very logical to think that one of the Illini's interior presences will either transfer out or forfeit their final season of eligiblity. Due to the time they will likely receive in the near future, most likely Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale are not departure candidates. They will both be counted on heavily for the rest of their years as Illini. Bill Cole and Stan Simpson would also be candidates. Tyler Griffey will not suit up for another season so he could not possibly be projected to leave. The member whose natural inclination to leave would likely be Richard Semrau.

It is not likely that Semrau will transfer but will forfeit his 5th year thus giving Leonard his scholarship. No matter what happens it is obvious that the Illini will have a very bright future with incoming instate talent such as Jereme Richmond, Crandall Head, D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul, Joseph Bertrand, and Leonard. 6-foot-3 Marcus Jordan, another high level 2009 prospect, is a possible walk-on candidate.