Jon Leuer

Jon Leuer (born May 14, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player. He was selected by the Bucks with the 40th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. During his National Basketball Association (NBA) career, he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons.

Jon Leuer
Leuer with Pistons in 2016
Personal information
Born (1989-05-14) May 14, 1989
Long Lake, Minnesota
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High schoolOrono (Long Lake, Minnesota)
CollegeWisconsin (2007–2011)
NBA draft2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 40th overall
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Playing career2011–2019
PositionPower forward / Center
Number30
Career history
2011Skyliners Frankfurt
2011–2012Milwaukee Bucks
2012–2013Cleveland Cavaliers
2012–2013→Canton Charge
2013–2015Memphis Grizzlies
2015–2016Phoenix Suns
2016–2019Detroit Pistons
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

High school career

Leuer was born in Long Lake, Minnesota and attended Orono High School in Long Lake, where he was ranked the 82nd-best college recruit in the nation from the class of 2007.[1] One scouting report read:

"At 6-foot-10, 228-pounds, Leuer definitely needs some time to fill out his frame for high-major competition. Nonetheless, he is a pure shooter with good overall skills with the ball. He can knock down a jump hook and can play off the dribble. He moves well up and down the court, but has a ways to go defensively and as a rebounder. Could be an impact player with his size and unique skill set if he does get stronger."[2]

Another one stated:

"Flew under the radar prior to the spring of 2006. Excellent player from behind the stripe, especially when you consider that he pushes 6-10. Face up four man will need to add strength to reach his potential. Could be an Andrew Brackman type of forward."[3]

His junior year, he averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds per game and earned honorable mention all-state and first-team all-conference honors. He averaged 23.2 points and 12.0 rebounds per game as a senior and was selected to Minnesota State All-star game while landing second-team all-state and first-team all-conference honors. He ended up with 35 double digit scoring games and a career high of 37.[4]

He played AAU basketball with the Minnesota Magic.[5]

Leuer had originally entered high school as a guard, but had a 10-inch growth spurt before his senior year.[4]

College career

Freshman

Leuer never started, but played in 32 games during the 2007–2008 season for the Wisconsin Badgers. The most points he scored during the non-conference season was 12, but he exploded for 25 (on 8 of 9 shooting) against the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten opener. However, after scoring 7 in the follow-up game, Leuer would only score 9 points for the remainder of the season. Much of this spoke to Wisconsin's great depth, as the Badgers would go on to win both the Big Ten regular season, with a 16–2 record, and Big Ten Conference Tournament. They would later advance to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament and finished with a 31–5 record.[6] Leuer finished the season averaging 2.9 points per game and 1.3 rebounds in 8.6 minutes.

Sophomore

Leuer played in all 33 games and started the final 12 games of the year during the 2008–2009 season. He had 13 double digit scoring games including 17 in a victory at Virginia Tech in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. He had a season high of 19 points against SIU-Edwardsville. He averaged 8.8 points per game and 3.8 rebounds in 21.3 minutes. The Badgers finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a 10–8 record, and a 20–13 record overall.[7] They would upset the #5 seeded Florida State Seminoles in the first round of the NCAA tournament before succumbing to the Xavier Musketeers in the second round.[8] Leuer was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team.[4]

Junior

The Badgers went into the 2009–2010 season picked 9th in the Big Ten. However, they upset the Arizona Wildcats and Maryland Terrapins in the Maui Invitational.[9] On December 2, 2009, in a game on ESPN, Wisconsin shocked the #5 Duke Blue Devils (who would be the eventual National Champions).[10] Leuer poured in 17 points on his way to scoring double digits in 13 of the first 15 games of the year. He followed up the effort against Duke with back-to-back double doubles at UW-Green Bay (a career high 26 points and 10 rebounds) and against Marquette University (24 points, 12 rebounds). He would also score 25 against UW-Milwaukee and 21 at Michigan State.[11] Wisconsin was off to a surprising 13–3 start (3-1 in the Big Ten) after a 73–66 upset against #4 Purdue. However, Leuer had an off night against Purdue and only scored 4 points on 2-15 shooting. It was revealed after the game that Leuer had broken his wrist in the first half, yet still played 38 of the 40 minutes in the game. Leuer was ruled out indefinitely and he ended up missing the next 9 games.[12]

When Leuer returned, he was eased back into the lineup, scoring 4 points in his first game back, a loss against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. However, Leuer would score double digits in each of the final five games of the year, including 20 against the University of Illinois, as the Badgers went 4-1 down the stretch and finished 13–5 in the Big Ten, good enough for fourth place and a #13 national ranking. Leuer won Big Ten Player of the week for the final week of the regular season. Yet, the Badgers would lose to the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament and were upset by Cornell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, despite 14 and 23 points from Leuer respectively.[13]

Leuer ended up leading the Badgers in points per game (15.4), rebounds per game (5.8), and blocks per game (1.33). Due to the wrist injury, he only played in 24 games, starting 22 of them. His .522 field-goal percentage was the highest by a Wisconsin player since Alando Tucker's .533 mark in 2003. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten, despite missing half of the conference games. He also made the Academic All-Big Ten team for the second straight year.[4]

During the summer, Leuer was selected to be on the United States men's select team, a team of college players hand-picked to help the United States men's national basketball team prepare for the FIBA World Championships. Leuer went with the team to New York City to compete against the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade.[14] Leuer had been named to the team after impressing Team USA, and Villanova, coach, Jay Wright. When Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com asked Wright to name the best college player with the USA Basketball select team, Wright picked Leuer over Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Marcus Morris and others.[15]

"He's really good," Wright told Parrish. "Maybe I haven't followed him as well because he's from the Midwest, and maybe he wouldn't surprise anybody else. But he's got great size, he puts it on the floor, he passes it, he can shoot it. He's just a ballplayer." When asked if he would be an NBA player, Wright answered "yes."[16]

Senior

SI.com named Leuer their Big Ten preseason player of the year. About Leuer, Luke Winn wrote, "Watch out for Leuer, an ultra-efficient, 6-foot-10 forward who'll be the Badgers' clear No. 1 offensive option for the first time in his career."

On December 28, 2010, the Badgers upset then #13 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers, 68–60. During the first half of the game, Leuer became the 36th player in Wisconsin Badgers history to score 1,000 points in a career.

On March 1, 2011, Leuer was named to the Yahoo Sports All-Big Ten 1st team.[17]

He was picked to the Third Team All-America by Fox Sports.[18] Leuer was named to the Yahoo Sports All-American Team Honorable Mention.[19]

Professional career

Milwaukee Bucks (2011–2012)

On June 23, 2011, Leuer was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 40th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.[20] After a stint in Germany with Skyliners Frankfurt during the NBA lockout,[21] Leuer joined the Bucks for the 2011–12 season in December 2011.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2012–2013)

On June 27, 2012, Leuer was traded to the Houston Rockets along with Jon Brockman, Shaun Livingston and the 12th pick in the 2012 NBA draft in exchange for Samuel Dalembert and the 14th pick in the 2012 NBA draft.[22] He was waived by the Rockets on July 18, 2012.[23]

On July 20, 2012, Leuer was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Cavaliers.[24] On December 7, 2012, he was sent down to the Cavaliers' D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge.[25] He was recalled on December 20,[26] reassigned on January 3,[27] and recalled again on January 7.[28]

Memphis Grizzlies (2013–2015)
Leuer in March 2013

On January 22, 2013, Leuer was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby, and a future first-round draft pick.[29]

On July 15, 2013, Leuer was re-signed by the Grizzlies to a three-year, $3 million contract.[30][31]

On December 3, 2013, Leuer recorded a career-high 23 points, along with 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, in a 110–91 win over the Phoenix Suns. Six days later, he recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 12 rebounds in a 94–85 win over the Orlando Magic. He tied his career high of 23 points on January 5, 2014 in a 112–84 win over the Detroit Pistons.[32]

On December 7, 2014, Leuer had a season-best game with 20 points and career-high tying 12 rebounds in a 103–87 win over the Miami Heat.[33]

Phoenix Suns (2015–2016)

On June 25, 2015, Leuer was traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the draft rights to Andrew Harrison.[34] He made his debut for the Suns in the team's season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on October 28, recording 14 points and 7 rebounds off the bench in a 111–95 loss.[35] On November 12, he recorded his first double-double as a Sun, recording 10 points and 11 rebounds in a 118–104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[36] Two days later, he received his first starting assignment for the Suns, recording 7 points and 5 rebounds in just under 19 minutes of action, helping the Suns defeat the Denver Nuggets 105–81.[37] On November 25, he had a then season-best game with 20 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[38]

On March 21, 2016, Leuer recorded his seventh double-double of the season (ninth of his career)[39] with 13 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Two days later, he had 22 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a 119–107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers,[40] recording back-to-back double-doubles for the first time in his career.[41] In the Suns' season finale on April 13, Leuer recorded 16 points and matched his career best with 14 rebounds in a 114–105 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[42]

Detroit Pistons (2016–2019)

On July 8, 2016, Leuer signed with the Detroit Pistons.[43] On December 30, 2016, he scored a then season-high 22 points in a 105–98 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.[44] On February 3, 2017, he scored a career-high 24 points in a 116–108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[45]

Leuer played in only eight games during the 2017–18 season due to an ankle injury, that he decided to have season-ending surgery on in January.[46] In August 2018, he was reported to have taken surgery on his right knee to repair his medial meniscus.[47] On October 27, 2018, in a 109–89 loss to the Boston Celtics, Leuer made his 2018–19 season debut, his first appearance since October 31, 2017.[48]

On June 20, 2019, Leuer was traded back to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Tony Snell and the draft rights to Kevin Porter Jr..[49] On July 9, 2019, Leuer was waived by the Bucks.[50]

Leuer announced his retirement over Instagram on May 24, 2020, at the age of 31.[51]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Milwaukee 461212.1.508.333.7502.6.5.3.44.7
2012–13 Cleveland 9010.1.357.000.3331.4.6.2.02.4
2012–13 Memphis 1905.1.625.000.5711.3.2.2.01.8
2013–14 Memphis 49013.1.492.469.7873.2.4.4.36.2
2014–15 Memphis 63613.1.443.241.6273.3.7.3.14.5
2015–16 Phoenix 672718.7.481.382.7625.61.1.6.48.5
2016–17 Detroit 753425.9.480.293.8675.41.5.4.310.2
2017–18 Detroit 8017.0.417.000.8674.0.6.1.45.4
2018–19 Detroit 4119.8.584.091.7422.4.3.3.13.8
Career 3778015.8.484.328.7673.8.8.4.36.4

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 Memphis 502.2.500--.6.0.2.2.4
2014 Memphis 307.7.429.5001.0002.7.7.3.03.0
2015 Memphis 402.3.500--1.3.0.0.01.0
2019 Detroit 105.0.500-.000.0.0.0.02.0
Career 1303.7.467.500.6671.2.2.2.11.3

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2007–08 Wisconsin 3208.6.472.462.4831.3.4.1.12.9
2008–09 Wisconsin 331221.3.466.296.6053.8.8.5.68.8
2009–10 Wisconsin 242228.8.522.391.7205.81.6.51.315.4
2010–11 Wisconsin 343433.5.470.370.8437.21.6.5.918.3
Career 1236822.8.482.368.7234.51.1.4.711.2

Personal life

Leuer is the son of Mike and Holly Leuer, has two older sisters, Maren and Katie, and is married to Keegan Billick. He was majoring in history while at the University of Wisconsin.[4]

References
  1. "Yahoo Sports: Rivals.com Ranking – Rivals.com Rivals150 2007". Rivals.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  2. "Jon Leuer – Yahoo! Sports". Rivals.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  3. "Scout.com: Jon Leuer Profile". Scouthoops.scout.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  4. Jon Leuer Profile Archived 2010-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Minnesota MAGIC Basketball". Magicbasketball.org. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  6. "The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers – Men's Basketball". UWBadgers.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  7. "NCAA College Basketball Players – NCAA Basketball – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  8. "The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers – Men's Basketball". UWBadgers.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  9. Archived September 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "The Badger Herald: News: Badgers shock Duke at Kohl Center". Archive.is. Archived from the original on 2012-11-24. Retrieved 2013-10-17.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. "NCAA College Basketball Players – NCAA Basketball – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  12. "Badgers lose Leuer with broken wrist". ESPN. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  13. "The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers – Men's Basketball". UWBadgers.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  14. "UW men's basketball: Leuer to train with U.S. national team : Sports". Host.madison.com. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  15. "UW men's basketball: Leuer draws praise after cameo with USA Basketball : Sports". Host.madison.com. 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  16. "UW men's basketball: Leuer lands another stint with USA Basketball : Sports". Host.madison.com. 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  17. King, Jason (2011-03-01). "Yahoo! Sports' All-Big Ten Team – Yahoo Sports". Rivals.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  18. Goodman, Jeff (Mar 7, 2011). "Goodman's 2010-11 All-America teams". Fox Sports. Fox Sports Interactive Media. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  19. King, Jason (2011-03-07). "Yahoo! Sports' All-American Team – Yahoo Sports". Rivals.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  20. "Prospect Profile: Jon Leuer". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  21. "Jon Leuer signs with Skyliners Frankfurt". ESPN.com. August 5, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  22. "Rockets trade for No. 12 pick". ESPN.com. June 28, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  23. "Rockets waive Jon Leuer and Jerome Jordan". InsideHoops.com. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  24. "Cavaliers Claim Jon Leuer Off Waivers from Houston". NBA.com. July 20, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  25. "Cavaliers Assign Leuer to Charge". NBA.com. December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  26. "Cavaliers Recall Jon Leuer". NBA.com. December 20, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  27. "Cleveland Cavaliers Re-Assign Jon Leuer to NBA D-League Affiliate Canton Charge". NBA.com. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  28. "Cavaliers Recall Jon Leuer". NBA.com. January 7, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  29. "Cavaliers Acquire Speights, Ellington, Selby and Future First Round Pick From Grizzlies". NBA.com. January 22, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  30. "Memphis Grizzlies re-sign Jon Leuer". InsideHoops.com. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  31. "Jon Leuer To Sign Three-Year, $3M Deal With Grizzlies". RealGM.com. July 3, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  32. "Jon Leuer 2013–14 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  33. Leuer’s Double-Double Leads Grizzlies Past Heat
  34. "Suns Aquire [sic] Jon Leuer From Memphis". NBA.com. June 25, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  35. "8 Dallas players reach double figures, Mavs rout Suns 111-95". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  36. "Knight, Bledsoe lead Suns past short-handed Clippers 118-104". NBA.com. November 12, 2015. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  37. "Bledsoe leads Suns over cold-shooting Nuggets, 105-81". NBA.com. November 14, 2015. Archived from the original on November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  38. "Anthony Davis lead Pelicans past Suns, 120-114". NBA.com. November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  39. "@JLeu30 has his seventh double-double of the..." Twitter. March 21, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  40. "Bryant scores 17 in Phoenix finale but Lakers lose again". NBA.com. March 23, 2016. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  41. "@JLeu30 now has back-to-back double-..." Twitter. March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  42. "Teletovic's 22 leads Suns past Clippers reserves, 114-105". NBA.com. April 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  43. "Detroit Pistons Sign Free Agents Ish Smith and Jon Leuer". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  44. "Korver, Howard lead Hawks past Pistons, 105-98". ESPN.com. December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  45. "Morris, Leuer lead Pistons over Timberwolves 116-108". ESPN.com. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  46. "Wizards score 45 in 3rd, beat Pistons 122-112". ESPN.com. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  47. "Detroit Pistons' Jon Leuer undergoes right knee operation". NBA.com. August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  48. "Celtics hand Pistons first loss of season, 109-89". ESPN.com. October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  49. "Bucks Aquire [sic] Jon Leuer From Detroit". NBA.com. June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  50. "Jon Leuer: Waived by Bucks". cbssports.com. July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  51. Kocorowski, Jake (May 24, 2020). "Former Wisconsin Forward Jon Leuer Announces Retirement". si.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.