Leon getting elite interest this time

[db]Justin Leon[/db] has not been on the market long but his release from his letter of intent with Louisiana Tech has brought on a different look to his suitor list this time around. Florida, Indiana, Arkansas and other programs are vying for official visits later this month.

The 6-foot-8, 200-pound Leon asked out of his letter of intent in mid-May when it was apparent that former Louisiana Tech coach Mike White was not going to be replaced with any of his assistants. White was hired by Florida in early May after Billy Donovan left to the NBA to take the Oklahoma City head coaching job.

A native of Conway, Arkansas, Leon has spent the last two seasons at Shawnee Community College, located in the extreme southern tip of Illinois. This past season as a sophomore, he averaged 21.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks while shooting 50.4 percent from the floor and 70.8 percent from the free throw line. He was named an honorable mention All-American by the NJCAA after the season and for the second straight year was runner-up for the Player of the Year in the GRAC Conference.

Shawnee finished the year with a 13-17 record. In 2013-14 the team went 18-9 and Leon averaged 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and shot 56.3 percent from the floor.

Earlier today we spoke with Shawnee head coach John Sparks.

"He's a 6-foot-7 forward that can play inside or outside," Sparks said. "Really athletic. Shoots the three, puts the ball on the floor in transition. Rebounds at a high rate. He does a little bit of everything. Shoots off screens. Post ups. Great face-up and post game."

Leon signed with Louisiana Tech in mid-April and just recently was released from that LOI.

"I felt really comfortable with the style of play and it really felt like home at Louisiana Tech. I developed a great relationship with the coaching staff," said Leon at the time.

After his signing and before he left for Florida, Mike White commented on Leon.

"Justin is an extremely important signee for us for a number of reasons," White said in a LaTech press release. "His athleticism and versatility, along with his size and toughness make him a great fit athletically. He's a good scorer, rebounder and defender who plays with an uncanny intensity level. In addition, his makeup as an intangible player and teammate make him even more valuable to us."

Yesterday Leon tweeted out an update on his recruitment with a narrowed list of Florida, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas State, and Louisiana Tech.

Sparks said the Indiana interest is recent

"Justin called me this weekend, I guess they contacted him on Saturday at some point," Sparks said. "They contacted me Sunday and we talked yesterday at length about him and that is kind of where it is at."

Besides the schools mentioned Sparks said Alabama, Ole Miss, Colorado State and a "gang of other ones" had been calling on his player.

Sparks confirmed that Leon will hit a halfway mark in his semester here in about three weeks that will allow him to begin to travel some for official visits.

"He has to pass a couple classes this summer," Sparks said. "(Summer semester) runs to July 28."

White has brought all three of his former LaTech assistants with him to his new Florida staff. That could give the Gators one advantage.

"Justin is a little bit different in a way that he's really big on relationships and not so much name," Sparks said. "The name of a school or program. More about who he trusts and that type of deal. It is refreshing to coach guys like that out."

Both Indiana and Florida have had scholarships open up in recent weeks.

Whichever school lands the Shawnee forward should be getting a very coachable addition to the team.

"The number one thing about him is he's very humble. As far as basketball he just wants to play, not really big into all the other stuff. Not only does he like to play but he loves the process of getting into the gym and working on his game and getting better. He's easy to coach. Very refreshing to coach a guy with little or no ego."