Marcedus Leech talks Kansas visit (2019)

Explosive lefty wing Marcedus Leech (2019) is dropping by Kansas University today, after a huge weekend with St. Louis Eagles 16u.

“It just came out of nowhere to be honest,” said Leech after hearing about the invitation.  “I was just excited for myself.  I am going to keep working.  That is how I got that visit right there.”

As a freshman for revered Poplar Bluff High School Leech averaged 21.7 ppg on a staggering 51.0% shooting.  His remarkable high school debut earned him a half dozen D1 offers, but that was merely the beginning.

AAU Prestige

Leech was invited by the St. Louis Eagles to play up a class with their 16u team.

“I talked to the coaches and they wanted me on 16’s back and I was like, ‘Ok, I am all in for it,'” said Leech.  “It is just going to get me better anyway.  By next year I will be playing 17’s.”

Over the weekend Leech played wonderful against a handful of top 75 Class of 2018 players like Payton Moore (CA), Tevian Jones (CA) , Ron Artest III (CA), Antwan Jones (FL), and Ryan Boyce (TN).  Instead of demurring or shying away from the moment, Leech dominated patches of these games.  The silky lefty is so crafty on top of possessing an uncanny explosiveness.

Leech easily gets into the lane, but varies his final delivery quite a bit.  He can sneakily scoop in off-kilter layups or smash above the rim.  Leech has some streetball flair to his production.

In the quarterfinals Leech, Frank Okoro (IL), and James Wiseman (TN) single-handedly hopped out to a 6-0 lead early on the most intense defensive unit in the building, Team Penny 16u.

“I like the pace,” said Leech.  “It is just going to get me better and that is what I want.”

What makes that early domination more impressive is that all three players are Class of 2019 talents.

“It is exciting,” said Leech.  “I like to play with them.  They are my favorites.  We are in the same class.  I want them to come to school with me.  It is what it is.  We play AAU ball together and we just enjoy it and have fun.”

Team Penny slipped by the St. Louis Eagles 16u in the quarterfinals Sunday night.  The intensity of the Team Penny perimeter defense was too much.  The Eagles and Leech put together a strong run, knocking off powerful teams along the way (California Supreme, MoKan Elite, EachOneTeachOne)

Kansas Visit

Kansas is one of those programs that instantly vaults a player’s national profile with expressed interest.  Leech is honored and should be.  It is a game-changing moment in his otherwise exciting recruitment.

“It was on Twitter,” said Leech.  “It was going to be a surprise to me, but you know Twitter posts everything.  I looked on Twitter and I was happy.”

Leech likes how Kansas plays and likes the program.

“I like how they push the ball out and go,” said Leech.  “I like the school.  I wouldn’t mind going there.”

The Jayhawks have been landing elite prospects for over three decades.  Leech has his own favorite Jayhawk though.

“I like that Josh Jackson has committed there,” said Leech.  “That is one of my favorite high school players.”

Knowing that many Missouri fans and adults have severe animosity towards Kansas University, PrepHoops.com asked Leech his thoughts on the program as a whole.  ‘Is Kansas a team you hate (being from Missouri) or a team everybody likes?’

“It is another team that everybody likes,” said Leech.  “They are not an enemy.  They are family to me.”