Meyers Leonard
C, Illinois · 2012 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #11 (POR)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #23 (#3 at his position); he went #11, 12 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
20.3 years old on draft night (born 1992-02-27).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (246 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Illinois.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Length
Wingspan 7' 3" at 7' 1" tall (+2.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (217 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 456 games over 10 NBA seasons (~56% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 10 |
| Games | 456 |
| Minutes / game | 15.9 |
| Points / game | 5.6 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.9 |
| Assists / game | 0.9 |
| Win Shares (career) | 15.8 |
| VORP | 1.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.5 |
The 2012 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2012 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Age 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 7' 1", 250 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7' 3" |
| Age on draft night | 20.3 |
| Born | Robinson, IL |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #23 overall (#3 C) |
Picked around him 2012 redraft
| 8 | Terrence Ross | redraft #12 |
| 9 | Andre Drummond | redraft #4 |
| 10 | Austin Rivers | redraft #23 |
| 12 | Jeremy Lamb | redraft #9 |
| 13 | Kendall Marshall | redraft #41 |
| 14 | John Henson | redraft #15 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.