Leons says he'll be back next year!

[sam hannam]

Bradley basketball: Malevy Leons of Netherlands has bright future (pjstar.com)

[Tommy]

Thanks for sharing and what a great article by Dave. Malevy's personality really comes across and that article really helps us realize just how lucky we are that he chose us. Strange to see that 2 of the schools that moved to the MVC were also pursuing him and even better to see that we beat out Missouri and Wichita State by getting him.

Timing of this post is great as we were just talking about the prospect of losing Malevy, as well as his being considered for DPOY on these boards.

Great stuff, Dave. BU fans are glad you are writing for us, as you continue to put out great material!

[mfogelmark]

Just finished reading this article. This is fantastic news for Bradley and it's fans. I'm excited to see Malevy for another year!

[houstonbrave]

This is great news. The foreign players who were in US for the Covid year will have been a long way from home for 5 years when they stay for the entire time-heck if Rienk used all of his eligibility he would be away for 6 years. Really glad Malevy wants to stay-fantastic player and seems like a good young man.

[Nashville Cat]

Thanks for sharing and what a great article by Dave. Malevy's personality really comes across and that article really helps us realize just how lucky we are that he chose us. Strange to see that 2 of the schools that moved to the MVC were also pursuing him and even better to see that we beat out Missouri and Wichita State by getting him.

Timing of this post is great as we were just talking about the prospect of losing Malevy, as well as his being considered for DPOY on these boards.

Great stuff, Dave. BU fans are glad you are writing for us, as you continue to put out great material!

Now let's get Rienk back next year! Resist the Portal!

[ManMythLegend]

Now let's get Rienk back next year! Resist the Portal!

Let's get Reink back for 2 years please!

[Tommy]

Now let's get Rienk back next year! Resist the Portal!

You took the words right out of my mouth NC!

[Stryker]

Great news, really enjoying watching Leons this season.

[BUfan14]

I wasn't sure it would ever happen, but he seems to finally be taking charge and going in to contact. He is such a talented player when he takes control. Honestly, I think he is so good at maneuvering his body, that he tried sometimes to finish using his athleticism rather than muscle. I can't blame him with his athleticism, as it works a lot, but it is nice to see him using both now. He seems like a great person too, and one of the best defenders I have seen in a while. He is truly developing as a player too, which is nice to see.

"I'm staying," Leons said. "I will be here at Bradley next season using my fifth year. It's important for me to finish and get that extra season. I want to play professional basketball. I think my development as a player at Bradley is helping me toward that dream. I'm learning to play basketball."

That quote shows me he can be a great ambassador for this program. Think of what he can do in terms of helping us with both foreign players and JUCO players. I wouldn't mind seeing him come back as a coach some day after a long pro career. I said before, though anything can happen, I'm not as worried about others leaving yet, besides Leons and Mast. Zek is the only other one that kind of worries me if he finishes strong, but I also know we were the only program that gave him a real chance D1, and I think that means something to him judging by past quotes. If Mast comes back too we are the favorites next year, in my opinion.

[Bball31]

Great news.

[Tommy]

Zek is the only other one that kind of worries me if he finishes strong, but I also know we were the only program that gave him a real chance D1, and I think that means something to him judging by past quotes. If Mast comes back too we are the favorites next year, in my opinion.

This is one of the dynamics to recruiting now with the pay for play and the ridiculous open portal and teams will need to learn to adjust their recruiting to take that into consideration. I think BW and his squad are exactly the right type of recruiters to navigate this new way of doing things. Character has always been a priority and those type of kids are much more likely to consider a place home once they've chosen a team.

[️ Fanatic]

"I'm staying," Leons said. "I will be here at Bradley next season using my fifth year. It's important for me to finish and get that extra season. I want to play professional basketball. I think my development as a player at Bradley is helping me toward that dream. I'm learning to play basketball."

This is a great news and shows a ton of maturity! Leons will benefit with another year of college play at Bradley next year -- And Bradley will benefit having Leons talent on the team! WIN-WIN!!

[Bradley8792]

Anyone looking into his brother? If he has the same work ethic and skill set, might be a good find.

[Heemeskerk]

I think Mast comes back. To me the overseas kids seem to be a different breed (in a better way!). Mast just seems like a smart quality guy where loyalty would matter to him. Of course just my opinion/sense but it would surprise me if Mast bailed on us. And never know the dynamic between coach and player and other factors.. anyway I say we continue to get into the overseas pipeline.

[BUfan14]

This is one of the dynamics to recruiting now with the pay for play and the ridiculous open portal and teams will need to learn to adjust their recruiting to take that into consideration. I think BW and his squad are exactly the right type of recruiters to navigate this new way of doing things. Character has always been a priority and those type of kids are much more likely to consider a place home once they've chosen a team.

Absolutely on the character part. One of things I have always liked about Wardle is that we have guys I can root for. I have a hard time rooting for low character guys. Also, our players seem to mostly care about academics, which is another reason you might stay at a school. Having the right academic programs and getting a good education seems to matter to many of our basketball players.