OKC fans: meet your new training camp stud:
As an NBA-ready defender at 6'10", Leons will be a well-regarded target for NBA teams.
I wrote about the back-to-back MVC Defensive Player of the Year's journey and what his NBA role will look like:
by ErsinDemirNBA
4 Comments
Thanks for the write up. I had no idea who he was. It seems like his skill set would mesh with how the Thunder play. At least on defense and running the floor. Maybe he will turn into some help when needed.
Great article/analysis, keep up the awesome work! 👏
Had some nice moments in summer league. Glad he’s on the training camp roster
Bradley basketball fan here and got to watch Mal play all through college.
When you watch him play, he really lets the game come to him. He can be the best player on the floor but he doesn’t usually force things offensively. He’s not your typical back you down in the paint kind of forward, but he’s got some crafty quick spin moves and up and unders that can keep defenders honest in the paint. He’ll probably never be a top option on offense but he does enough that defenders can’t sag off him completely.
His defense speaks for itself and it’s the reason why he got an NBA contract. His on-ball defending is elite. He has quick reactions and is great at anticipating. He’s the only player in MVC history to have 50 blocks and 50 steals in a season. And he did it twice.