Illinois center impresses at NBA combine

CHICAGO - Meyers Leonard says perceptions that he's immature or unstable couldn't be further from the truth.

And to demonstrate, the former University of Illinois center showed NBA coaches and scouts at this week's NBA combine that he's a legitimate top 20 - or higher - pick in this month's draft.

"I think sometimes people see my emotion on the court and think of the word immature or careless, but I don't think it's that at all," Leonard said. "I do care, I'm a competitor . . . and I'm going to continue to prove to people in a person-to-person basis and on the court that I've matured."

A consensus among observers was that the 7-footer - the tallest at the combine - impressed at Thursday and Friday sessions at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"I'm pretty confident the way the last 2 days went, going out there competing and showing everybody how much I love to play the game and play with passion," he said.

The combine has drawn 50 top draft-eligible college players and was scheduled to conclude Friday.

If the 76ers are looking for sizable help, then a big man like Leonard could be in the mix as they zero in on a final choice for their No. 15 pick in the June 28 draft.

A native of Robinson, Ill., Leonard played two seasons for the Illini, who finished 2011-12 with a lackluster 17-15 record, were a distant ninth in the Big Ten and then fired head coach Bruce Weber.

Leonard improved dramatically from his freshman year and finished second in Illini scoring (13.6 points), tops in rebounds (8.2 average) and had a league-leading 1.9 blocks on the way to All-Big Ten honorable mention honors.

Leonard had 2 years of eligibility remaining. "I feel the timing is right for me to follow my dream of playing in the NBA and having the opportunity to provide for my mom and family," Leonard said in a statement released by the university in April.

Leonard said he has a single-minded determination approaching the next phase of his career.

"I'm working out three times a day, my diet's right, I don't go out, I'm trying to do everything right, and I'm so focused," he said during the combine. "It takes a different kind of person, a different kind of basketball player to be able do this.

"If you're not locked in at all times and careful of how you carry yourself, you're not going to make it."

For the 76ers or any other suitors, Leonard offers fluid movement and good court sense, a solid jump shot, quickness and one of the largest wingspans (7 feet, 3 inches) among the combine participants.

"I showed some versatility," he said. "I think my ability to step out and shoot the ball a little bit, my ability to run the floor and be a little more agile than most guys my size and my athleticism is definitely showing in these workouts."

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