NBA Draft Profiles: Jon Leuer, Wisconsin

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Stats: 18.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.9 bpg, 37.0% 3PT

Age: 22, senior

Size:

• Listed: 6'10", 230 lb
• Official: 6'10" (no shoes), 6'11.5" (with shoes), 7'0" (wingspan), 8'9.5" (reach), 223 lb

Strengths: Leuer is a bit of a unique prospect in that he entered the high school ranks as a point guard, but thanks to a dramatic growth spurt, he was forced to move to the front court. Luckily for him, Leuer was able to keep maintain a lot of his perimeter skills. He can shoot the ball with range and he has a very good handle for a player of his size -- he won't blow by defenders, but he can take advantage of mismatches or out-of-position defenses. Leuer also has a decent finesse post game, scoring on turnarounds and jump hooks. He doesn't have the strength or the counter moves to be a low-post threat in the NBA, but -- like his perimeter game -- he can score when he has a favorable matchup.

Weaknesses: For Leuer, the limitations are seemingly all physical. He's not terribly strong, especially his lower body, and that makes it difficult for him to establish position. He won't be backing down starting power forwards in the NBA. He's not exactly a 'banger' on the glass either, also he does a solid job fundamentally boxing out and generally seems to work hard on the glass. That lack of strength will also cause Leuer problems defensively. One of the knocks that you will see written about Leuer is that he is not athletic or explosive, which is not true. His max vert of 36.5" is higher than Terrence Jennings and Kawhi Leonard. But Leuer doesn't play explosively. He lacks the strength and the assertiveness -- and the confidence? -- to take advantage of the physical tools he does have.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: Matt Bonner. Very similar type build as Leuer and not a great athlete, but a smart player who know his role. Loves to pop out of the screen and role and knock down open looks from 3, something the ‘Wisconsin Wonder’ can kill teams with, and at his size will get a shot off over just about anyone. Brian Cook and Pat Gerrity are two other names that pop out.


• Worst Case Scenario: Brian Scalabrine? Scalabrine is a pretty legit shooter who has hit over 40% over his NBA 3-point looks in a few of his NBA seasons, but never had the ability to do much more than shoot. Leuer is taller and more talented all-around, but he’s a role guy nonetheless who might get bench splinters with the wrong NBA fit. Kirk Haston, a first round flame out from Indiana, is another name that has been tossed around quite a bit.

Outlook: More than anything, Leuer is a guy that needs to find the right fit in the NBA. The things he does well, he does very well. He can shoot the ball very well for a guy that measures out at 6'11.5" in shoes. He is a capable ball-handler on the perimeter. He will excel in pick-and-pop situations or as a four that keeps the floor spread for a high-scoring post player. Leuer is also a capable scorer on the block is he has a favorable matchup. The problem is that he doesn't have the strength or play with the athleticism (he has a 36.5" max vert) needed to be an NBA front court starter. If Leuer canfind a team that needs someone in his role, he might be able to carve out an NBA career. If not, Europe or the D-League is likely in his future.

Draft Range: Early-Mid 2nd Round, Picks 31-45

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "Leuer, on the other hand, is a better athlete than we give him credit for. ... But when you watch him play, he doesn't really utilize that athleticism in his game the way other big athletes do. So while Leuer may be a good athlete, if it doesn't translate to his game, what's the point? A few years ago we all got excited about Luke Jackson's off-the-charts combine testing. How did that turn out?"


• Draft Express: "Leuer's 26.7 points per 40 minutes pace adjusted ranks in the top five amongst all prospects in our database, flashing an inside-outside game that makes him an incredibly effective collegiate big man. Upon first look at Leuer, it would be easy to write him off as a prospect due to his below average athleticism, slender frame, and a lack of a true position to defend. That being said, he possesses an excellent basketball IQ to go along with some offensive skills that are in high demand, skills that he should be able to translate to the NBA reasonably well."


• Swish Scout: "Fundamental big man who’s a dangerous perimeter shooter and excels off the catch and shoot by flaring off the screen and roll in the high post. Will struggle against NBA defenders and playing in the paint because of limited physical play as more of a finesse big, but should make it as a role player in the league."

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