First up on My Five Best From Saturday and Sunday at SCBCA Live is Josh Leonard Josh Leonard 6'7" | SF Wilson | 2027 State #32 Nation SC . Leonard was an easy choice for this group, dominating in Saturday’s second game with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. He looked like a man amongst boys on the floor, using his size, athleticism, and skill to get just about whatever he wanted offensively. When he’s getting downhill, there aren’t many players at this level who can stop him, but he’s also a more than capable jump shooter and facilitator. There were college coaches getting eyes on Josh in every game, including in-state Head Coaches Brad Brownell and Lamont Paris, who are among the leaders for his commitment.

Josh Leonard checks a lot of the boxes as a prospect. He stands at right around 6’7 and drives to the rim with a purpose on offense. Throwing down monster dunks with some force. He also operates with good pace when the paint is fairly clogged. And can bury shots from the outside if that’s the cleaner look. Leonard also utilizes his frame and strength to give his opponents issues on the defensive end. Plus he’ll come down with boards.

Josh was one of the very few players I watched, that never changed his pace unless it was on his own accord. He was always patient and got everything within flow of the game. Everything he did was highly efficient from the timing of his cuts, to his drives off the rip through, or even just understanding when a catch & shoot shot is the best shot to get. The 6’6 2027 prospect shot a whopping 68% from the field, including 67% from 3 and got everything he wanted in less than three dribbles. Every part of Josh’s game translates to the next level and his athleticism is elite to add a cherry-on-top with everything he brings to the table.

Of all the names in the 843, Josh Leonard Josh Leonard 6'7" | SF Wilson | 2027 State #32 Nation SC ‘s was probably the least surprising to see on an All-State Team. He is well established as a can’t-miss next-level prospect and one of the best players in the state right now, having been named Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore last year. Leonard was right back at it this season, putting up 22.1 points per game and 13.0 rebounds per game, as he crossed over 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.

Leonard continue to show why he’s considered such a high level prospect. He had an outstanding John Wall Holiday Invitational where he won Most Outstanding Player in the Day’Ron Sharpe Bracket. In the 3rd place loss to Highland, Leonard finished with 22 Points, 11 Rebounds, 3 Steals, and 2 Blocks. He is simply unstoppable when going downhill to the rim. His ability to finish in traffic is legitimately special and is constantly at the free throw line because of it. He was 6-7 from the line in this one and that touch from the stripe is encouraging as he continues to expand his range to beyond the three point line. Once that aspect of his game becomes reliable, there isn’t really a way to stop Leonard. His motor, physical gifts, and leadership are simply remarkable.

Leonard was one of the highest ranked players in the 2027 class at the Invitational, and he displayed his versatility and skill set in games against Southern Assault and Compton Magic on the first two days of the event. The 6-foot-6 wing/forward has the post moves and footwork to score in tights windows in the paint, the ability to backdown defenders with touch on the float hook, has good touch on shots at the basket, has a relentless motor crashing the boards for multiple chance scoring opportunities, and has elite bounce to get up quickly for monster dunks in the half court set-up or in transition. Leonard has the handles and makes consistent use of the crossover to get space from his defender, has a nice burst off speed off the dribble to get to the basket, and can spread the floor with the ability to connect on the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch. Defensively, Leonard has active hands and good court awareness to jump passing lanes or deflect passes and create turnovers that lead to transition points. The rising junior plays with a great motor, gives maximum effort, and was one of the most impactful 2027 guys playing up in the 17u division. 

Rounding out my list of prospects playing up at the Adidas 3SSB Championships is Josh Leonard. He displayed intriguing flashes despite losses on Wednesday and Thursday. Josh is a physically imposing Wing with a strong, 6’7″ frame and good athleticism. He looked to use that advantage in the paint in both games, excelling in transition, as a driver, and on the offensive glass. The offensive glass was a major weapon for Leonard, as he frequently punished defenses with extra possessions and easy buckets. Josh also used his athleticism to rotate and protect the rim on defense. Leonard put up 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block in Game One and 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in Game Two.

Josh Leonard Josh Leonard 6'7" | SF Wilson | 2027 State #32 Nation SC is another name who will draw a crowd when the live periods begin. Leonard plays up on 3SSB’s Upward Stars SE 17U and is one of the top 2027s in the country. Despite his age, Josh is both physically and athletically dominant against most competition. He has also continued to show positive progression with his three-point shooting as he was 3-3 from behind the arc in the game I watched. Josh also made great reads when driving and was a handful in transition. He tallied 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in the win.