Recruiting Report: Keyshawn Leach (2018)
At Toledo Waite, Keyshawn Leach (2018), standing 6’3”, is the tallest and most physical player on the team. While Leach projects as a combo forward at the next level, he’s stuck playing almost a center-type role for the Indians.
However, Leach isn’t complaining about his duties. It helps that Waite has a legitimate chance to win the Toledo City League during his senior season; but that’s only if Leach continues controlling the glass, which is a responsibility he’s grown accustomed to.
“I’ve been playing the center role since basically my eighth grade year,” Leach told us.
Leach understands he won’t play center in college. Therefore, he’s been working on other aspects of his game.
“This off-season, I’ve been trying to develop my ball-handling. So, my senior year, I should be doing that a lot,” Leach said. “I’m stuck at [center] for this year. But my coach is allowing me to play my game for my senior year. Because my senior year, he wants me to get offers. So he’s allowing me to do more things.”
At a team camp at Detroit Mercy earlier this month, Leach showed off a bit of those skills in a moment he detailed during the interview.
“Most of our players couldn’t make it [to the camp]. So, we were playing these two top teams from Detroit and we did good. I had to carry the team in the second game because we were down by 15 with eight minutes left, and I brought us back,” Leach said. While Waite went on to lose by a close margin, Leach capitalized on an opportunity to showcase his versatility with some of the other starters absent.
“I’m a good defender and I can finish around the basket very good. And I’m a good shooter,” Leach said.
Schools interested in Leach currently include Central State, Walsh, and 4-6 Division III programs, including The College of Wooster.
While Leach couldn’t recall his GPA, there’s a solid chance he’ll end up going the JUCO route. He is yet to attempt the ACT.
Coaches can evaluate Leach in person tonight or tomorrow at Toledo Woodward during summer league action, beginning at 5PM. In July, Leach will finish off his AAU career by playing with the Ohio Celtics.
Down the line, during the high school season, Waite will be a fun watch. They’ll come into the season as one of the two favorites to win the City League, along with Rogers. Leach will partner up with 5’7″ point guard, Carl Banks, to form a two-man game that will cause problems for their opponents.