Meyers Leonard Reaches NBA Finals

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Published on October 20 2020 10:29 am
Last Updated on October 20 2020 2:14 pm
Written by Millie Lange

Most people will remember Meyers Leonard as the center for the Robinson High School basketball team. Well, he's come a long ways since his graduation as a Maroon in 2010.

Leonard went on to play for the University of Illinois before he entered the NBA draft following his sophomore season in 2011-12. He was drafted 11th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 draft and signed with them.

His storied playing days in the NBA culminated for the Trail Blazers when he was traded July 6, 2019 to the Miami Heat. The Heat made it to the 2020 NBA Finals where Leonard started in two games. The Heat fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

From Robinson High School to the National Basketball Association Finals has been a journey the 7-footer has traveled with fortitude. He has overcome injury and surgery during his career and his past experiences made him tough.

When Leonard was six years old, he lost his father to a freak accident and his mother had back surgeries that were crippling. Brian Siler stepped in and became the father figure Leonard needed. Siler, an insurance agent in Robinson, had a son the same age and stepped forward to help Leonard and his mother Tracie.

Leonard started as a guard for the Maroons and after he grew six inches between his freshman and sophomore years, took over as center. When he was a senior, Leonard guided his team to the Illinois High School Association Class 2A state title as many area basketball fans remember. He was named to the Illinois All-State Team.

During that state run, Robinson downed Decatur St. Teresa, 81-60 in the super-sectional then took on Chicago Hales Franciscan and won 64-61 in the semifinals at state. In the championship game, Robinson was a 76-68 winner over Peoria Manual in overtime.

Leonard went on to college and played for the University of Illinois where he averaged 2.1 points and 1.2 rebounds as a freshman. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. He was named Big 10 Co-Player of the Week December 5, 2011 and Big 10 Player of the Week December 26, 2011. After the season ended, he was named Honorable Mention All Big-10.

After his sophomore season he entered the NBA draft and was picked 11th by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012. He signed and made his big-time basketball debut on October 31, 2012 where he scored four points against the Los Angeles Lakers. His first career start came against the Phoenix Suns November 21, 2012 and he tallied 12 points and pulled down five rebounds.

During the 2015-16 season he injured his left shoulder and was out for the rest of the season. He had to have surgery and six months later he signed a four-year  deal with the Trail Blazers.

The Trail Blazers competed in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2019 and in Game 4, Leonard scored a career-high 30 points and had 12 rebounds but his team fell in overtime to the Golden State Warriors.

In July of 2019, Leonard was traded to the Miami Heat and the Heat went on to the 2020 NBA Finals. Leonard played in three games, starting two of those games. He finished with 12 points, three assists and seven rebounds.

The Lakers won the opening two games, 116-98 and 124-114. The Heat won Game Three, 115-104 then lost Game Four, 102-96. The Heat came back with a 111-108 win before being ousted from the playoffs with a 106-93 loss.

The 7-foot, 260-pound Leonard  has played in 393 games in his NBA career with 42 starts during his seven year career. He has averaged 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 82.8 percent from the free throw line.

Leonard is 27 years old and married to Elle Bielfeldt who is 5-foot-10. His net worth . . . 10.60 million. Not bad for a kid from Robinson.