Leech wanted KU offer; plans to return when season starts
While covering the Jayhawk Summer Finale, JayhawkSlant.com caught up with Marcedus Leech, the 6-foot-5, 170-pound small forward from Poplar Bluff (MO) High School. A member of the 2019 class, Leech has already received a scholarship offer from the University of Kansas.
"My summer has been good," said Marcedus Leech, who finished up the summer circuit playing with the 17U St. Louis Eagles after starting out playing with the 16U division. "I have been playing well, but I could have been playing better. Since they (coaching staff) moved me up (17U Division), I feel like I've been playing better. I feel like I've been playing better every game.
"This is my second tournament playing up (17U Division)," he added. "I feel like I was playing more of a role player on the 16U (Division) and things didn't work out well, so they moved me up. I feel like I'm getting a lot of playing time and I'm playing good."
For some, making the adjustment to the 17U Division at the conclusion of the AAU circuit might be somewhat difficult, especially for a player that just recently completed his freshman year of high school. However, that simply wasn't the case for Leech.
The opportunity to play on the AAU circuit with and against guys that are just one year away from making the jump to Division I basketball is a challenge Leech welcomed with open arms.
"I embrace it (playing with the older guys)," said Leech. "I like playing with older guys and it's doing nothing but getting me better. Those guys that I'm playing with, they will be going to college next year, so it's just giving me a boost.
"I'll be playing with the 17U group from here on out, so it's just giving me a boost and helping me to be able to handle the pressure," he added. "
According to MaxPreps.com, Leech, as a freshman, averaged 21.7 points 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
In 26 games, Leech shot 195-of-385 (51%) from the field, 84-of-197 (43%) from behind the arc and 90-of-111 (81%) from the free-throw line.
Furthermore, he snagged 76 defensive rebounds, 42 offensive rebounds, was credited with 67 steals, 67 assists, 20 blocks and 73 turnovers.
Leech, while talking to JayhawkSlant.com inside Drive5, site of the Jayhawk Summer Finale, talked about his game.
"In high school, I can dominate." said Leech. "I can dominate in AAU too, so it's about the same. I'm a scorer. I can just score, period."
Coming off an extremely impressive freshman season, it's easy to see why so many high major programs have made Leech a priority early on in his prep career. Currently, he's received scholarship offers from the likes of Kansas, Jacksonville State, Missouri, New Mexico State, Vanderbilt, Washington, Miami, Missouri State and a few more.
However, the one offer he desperately wanted, which happened to be from Bill Self and the University of Kansas, was recently extended following a visit to Lawrence.
"I've been liking Kansas since I was a young boy," said Leech. "I wanted that offer. I like Kansas and I like the school. It's incredible and everybody at Kansas treated me as family (during visit). Josh Jackson, he was at Kansas during my visit, and treated me like a young brother.
"I like how they play," he added. "I watch them play and I like how they play. I like the way they play the game, because it's the way I play. I've been a big fan of Kansas ever since."
With his sophomore year at Poplar Bluff (MO) High School approaching, it doesn't appear that Leech is in any type of rush to put an end to his recruitment. With a number of high major offers on the table, it's only a matter of time before more schools make the extremely talented small forward a top priority.
Still, with plenty of time left to make a decision, Leech is certain of at least one thing. He is very much looking forward to watching Bill Self and the Jayhawks take the court this season inside Allen Fieldhouse.
"Yes, sir," said Leech when asked if he plans to return to Lawrence. "I would like to go to plenty of their games this year. I'd like to be able to watch up-close instead of watching them on TV."