Darius Leonard

[thehammock]

Grad transfer visiting MU
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/07/campbell-forward-darius-leonard-to-transfer/

[Dawson Rental]

He's really not that good.  However, he is, I suppose, better than nothing which is kinda what we have inside next year, particularly first semester.

[MarquetteDano]

Saw him play on ESPN earlier this year. Remember thinking he is kinda of like Jamil Wilson... 6'8" with longer arms.  Can shoot the three and, in that game, shied away from contact just like Jamil.

Also, is there any concern that he will be at his third school in his career?  I know nothing about him but just asking.

[Dawson Rental]

Saw him play on ESPN earlier this year. Remember thinking he is kinda of like Jamil Wilson... 6'8" with longer arms.  Can shoot the three and, in that game, shied away from contact just like Jamil.

Also, is there any concern that he will be at his third school in his career?  I know nothing about him but just asking.

No, the concern is Derrick Wilson playing center.  Actually...

[chapman]

Also, is there any concern that he will be at his third school in his career?  I know nothing about him but just asking.

Same as Carlino.  Even though we're benefitting once and possibly twice from it this offseason, I'll say it again: I hate the graduate transfer rule applying to players who have already transferred previously.

[BCHoopster]

Need a back-up or even a starter, or competition with Steve Taylor, he has some experience, MU has no depth, need somebody.

[Wojo'sMojo]

No, the concern is Derrick Wilson playing center.  Actually...

I think Derrick is a center at heart. Bad ft shooting and won't shoot outside of 3 feet. Maybe his role next year should be to use up 5 fouls guarding the opposing teams center  

[WarriorFan]

even if he is only a practice player, taylor and fischer need someone to go against. 

Plus, he'll play in the Jim Burr games when our bigs get into foul trouble.

[GGGG]

Saw him play on ESPN earlier this year. Remember thinking he is kinda of like Jamil Wilson... 6'8" with longer arms.  Can shoot the three and, in that game, shied away from contact just like Jamil.

Also, is there any concern that he will be at his third school in his career?  I know nothing about him but just asking.

He's a grad transfer.  It's one year.  Not very risky.  We can offer him playing time because we need his length.

Furthermore we have to keep in mind that Fischer will be coming to us with just a few games experience.  I think he is going to be good, but let's beware of not setting the bar too high expectation-wise.  A guy like this is pretty important IMO.

[BCHoopster]

Fischer will have his up and downs next year, he is probably better than Otule but will not be the same scoring threat that Devante was, I would say a good year,  8 points and 6
boards would be a good year.

[Ben Golds Five]

I loved that he played for the Fighting Camels. 

[Big Papi]

You absolutely take him if you can get him.  Options are extremely limited for those that can play next year, especially those with height. 

You bank the other ship for maybe a mid-season transfer. 

You go into next year knowing that Noskowiak is committed.  Heldt will be in the fold if Wojo wants him and you go from there.  Considering we could have had a situation similar to Oregon, its as good as it gets for us with a coaching change.

[MuMark]

Heldt has already been offered and if you listen to IWB's interview with him a couple of days ago Wojo appears to want him. He has been in contact every day with Matt and/or his parents.

[Dawson Rental]

I loved that he played for the Fighting Camels. 

Filtered or unfiltered?

[Big Papi]

Heldt has already been offered and if you listen to IWB's interview with him a couple of days ago Wojo appears to want him. He has been in contact every day with Matt and/or his parents.

I did listen to the interview and believe that he will commit to MU as soon as both get to know each other a little better.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Leonard would be a good add. He's probably the second best big left on the graduate transfer market (with Houston's TyShawn Taylor being the best). Adds size plus shot 38% from three last season. Fills two big needs.

[MU82]

Of course you get him if you can. Total no-brainer.

[keefe]

I loved that he played for the Fighting Camels. 

They have Camel Fights in A Stan




America has Camel Towing

[GooooMarquette]

He's really not that good.  However, he is, I suppose, better than nothing which is kinda what we have inside next year, particularly first semester.

Agreed.  He finished 3rd in scoring and rebounding on a team that went 12-20 and only 6-10 in the Big South Conference.  Totally different experience level than Carlino or Lockett, who both had proven they can be productive at the high-major level.

If Wojo doesn't have better uses for the scholarship right now though, it makes sense to sign him.  It's only one year, and he'd probably get a few minutes behind STJr early, and then be a practice player or insurance against injuries inside.

[GOO]

If we get him, he is going to play.  We have two bigs and Juan Anderson.   If Darius can run the court and stand between his man and the hoop, he will play. We should be begging him to pick us and come to MU.

I'd go so far as to say we'd be very lucky to have him at this point, unless there is some other option that we don't know about.  At least Darius would draw a big defender out of the paint on offense, if nothing else. 

But disregard the above if we are serious about DeWilson playing at the 4 or 5, which might be our best option after Taylor Jr and Fischer if we don't land Darius.  And between Juan and Darius getting playing time at the 4 or 5, I'd bet on Darius. 

Deonte can play some at the 4, but that still leaves a lot of minutes at the 4 and 5 to fill. 

[Spotcheck Billy]

its a good thing camel fights were banned in the US

years ago you might recall a trucking company Campbell 66 and their logo

They have Camel Fights in A Stan

America has Camel Towing

[MU82]

Deonte can play some at the 4, but that still leaves a lot of minutes at the 4 and 5 to fill. 

I sure as hell hope Deonte can play some at the 4, because he's gonna have to play a lot at the 4, especially in the first semester.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Agreed.  He finished 3rd in scoring and rebounding on a team that went 12-20 and only 6-10 in the Big South Conference.  Totally different experience level than Carlino or Lockett, who both had proven they can be productive at the high-major level.

If Wojo doesn't have better uses for the scholarship right now though, it makes sense to sign him.  It's only one year, and he'd probably get a few minutes behind STJr early, and then be a practice player or insurance against injuries inside.

I said the same thing but Equalizer pointed out something that gave me some hope. Leonard did extremely well against high major opponents:
@NCST: 35 minutes, 17 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist
@CIN: 31 minutes, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2-3 3P.

Obviously these are only two games. But he at least showed some ability.

[keefe]

Bottom line is we need some size and it's a seller's market. Sign him. It's low risk.

[4everwarriors]

Is this the same as Camel Toe?