Meyers Leonard is a potential lottery pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and he is likely moving up draft boards around the league after the Draft Combine in Chicago. Leonard measured out much better than fellow center prospect Tyler Zeller and played well enough in drills that several teams said he "looked awesome," prompting ESPN insider Chad Ford to say the former Illini center was a "big riser" and that he has moved "closer to 9-14" in the draft.
Meyers Leonard the other big riser here. Think his range is closer to 9-14 now.#NBACombine
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 8, 2012
In NBA Mock Drafts completed prior to the combine, Leonard didn't crack the lottery on ESPN or Draft Express (check out the related link above for more). Now even Chad Ford -- a connected ESPN reporter who draws from scouts and general managers across the league -- thinks Meyers Leonard is deserving of a premium pick. The teams in Ford's suggest range are the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.
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