Generation Y is often characterized as being spoiled and having a short attention span. As a result, many of the Gen Y kids are perceived as lacking etiquette, impulsive, and having a sense of entitlement. Fortunately, this does not describe Markel Leonard, sophomore combination guard for the Salesian High Pride.
As a freshman on the varsity Salesian team last year, Leonard played a minimal role in helping the Pride to a 32-3 record that ended with a Northern California Championship loss to Saint Mary's (Berkeley) 54-50. Leonard, who has been playing basketball since he was four years old, did not sulk about the lack of playing time. He handled the experience by staying positive and told himself to be prepared. In addition, Leonard worked really hard during this past summer to make sure that he would be part of the playing rotation.
The hard work in the summer also included playing for his club team, the Bay Area Hoosiers. He worked on his long range shooting and defense during the off season to force defenses to respect his perimeter game while he wanted to be a more tenacious defender. Leonard also has voluntary workouts with a private basketball trainer on his own free time during the weekends. The hard work has proven fruitful as Leonard has averaged 8 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal during this season as the Pride are undefeated at 12-0. Leonard is usually the first guard to come off of the bench and backs up junior guard Dominic Artis. If both Artis and Leonard are on the floor at the same time, Leonard runs point guard while Artis is the shooting guard.
Bay Area Hoosiers Coach Robert Jones says, "Markel plays with great passion and energy. He is a very unselfish player and rounding into a solid floor leader. He is a very humble young man that is very mature. He does extremely well in the classroom and takes pride in every aspect of his life. Markel is a wonderful kid that is a pleasure to be around. His family has done an amazing job raising him with great core values. He is excellent in the classroom, overall a well rounded student athlete."
In addition, Leonard was a participant in the Super 100 camp in El Cerrito in October 2010. Leonard was quite approachable and was enthusiastically talking about the camp and his basketball background. He comes across as being confident but not arrogant, polite and well behaved, and mature for a high school sophomore. Having that emotional balance will translate onto the basketball court. Especially, if Leonard projects out to being a point guard, then the point guard needs to be that much more analytical and balanced in his decision making process.
At 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, Leonard can run 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash and can bench press 190 pounds. He models his game after San Antonio Spur Tony Parker because he can get to the rim that will create opportunities for his teammates when he is in the lane. In addition, he is a good decision maker in a pick and roll situation while his mid-range game is solid.
Leonard considers himself to be a slasher because he attacks the basket well that allows him to make plays for his teammates if the defense collapses on him. His hesitation dribble freezes the defender to allow him to change direction or to use his speed to get by the defender.
Bay Area Hoosiers Coach Philippe Doherty says, "Markel's strengths are his will to win, tenacious, fearless, great on ball defender, attacks the lane and basket well, and really solid in passing lanes on defense. On the court, he is very aggressive and competitive, has a will to win, and is like a bulldog. Extremely aggressive and relentless on defense and brings energy."
Playing for a powerhouse like Salesian has helped Leonard to get notice by colleges. Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, University of San Francisco, and Washington State have made initial contact with him. Leonard has no geographical preference in his college destination but wants the basketball program to have a run and gun style of play because his game fits that style the best but also to have a half court offensive scheme. Leonard has a 3.60 GPA and wants the school to have strong academics.
Coach Doherty says, "Markel can play somewhere in college. What level is yet to be determined because he is growing, getting better, and is working on his skill set. Also, being about 5'10, he will need to continue to work on his PG reps in order to maximize playing possibilities in college. Markel is simply an outstanding kid who has been raised well and has been coached well at the HS level. He plays for great people at Salesian and is a well rounded student athlete."
During his free time, Leonard spends it studying game film of point guards ranging from Oscar Robertson to Magic Johnson to contemporary Chris Paul or he likes to write his random thoughts and observations in a journal. Leonard wants to be a more vocal leader on the team in the current season as the Pride are looking to make a run at the state title. Watch for Leonard to make an impact for Salesian in Richmond while being one of the top 2013 prospects.
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