Mizzou Basketball

Memo To Leo: Please Stay Put
Commentary Exclusive for Mizzou OSR
by Todd Donoho
Columbia, MO - Memo to Mizzou forward Leo Lyons: stay put.

I thought maybe someone was pulling my leg when I first heard that Leo Lyons was thinking about leaving Mizzou after this, his junior season, to make himself eligible to play in the NBA.  Perhaps it was the convenient timing of the rumors -- right after his 27-point, 18-rebound game against Oklahoma State, and 22-point, 15-rebound game against Baylor.  I thought, "What, two great games and he's off to the NBA?!?"

Then Leo followed that up with a 19-point, 9-rebound game against Iowa State, and an 18-point, 9 rebound game against Oklahoma.  That's roughly 22 points and 13 rebounds a game in his last four games.

The raw numbers are Michael Beasley-ish.  The consistency is Michael Beasley-ish.  It took Leo Lyons two full seasons and 27 games to be a consistent, physical force playing near the basket instead of the 3-point line.  So, I have to ask the question, "Why leave now?"

I have long trumpeted Leo's ability.  There are few 6-9 players with the skills of Leo Lyons.  He runs the court well, handles the ball well, has a good outside shot and moves to the basket.  What he hasn't been until the last four games is a consistent, physical scorer and rebounder.  Now he is.  He finally got his comfort level playing under the basket.

Michael Beasley of Kansas State has been doing that all season long.  That's why he could be the number one pick in this season's NBA draft.  After one full season of scoring 20-plus points a game and grabbing 10-plus rebounds a game, Michael Beasley is ready to take his game to the NBA.  Leo has been doing it for four games.  He's not ready.

It's real simple.  If Leo comes back next season, and plays a whole season like he's played the last four games, he could be next season's Michael Beasley -- not a freshman version, but a senior version.  Lyons could be a star.  Lyons would be all-conference.  Lyons would attract media attention.  If he played a full season like he's played the last four games, Leo's draft stock would skyrocket.

I have read several draft reports on Leo.  Some reports don't even mention him, some have him as a second round choice in a two round draft.  At this point, the NBA draft gurus aren't sold on Leo.

I have no doubts Leo could make some money next year playing pro ball in Europe.  I do have doubts about him making an NBA team.  I have no doubt that Leo would improve his NBA chances (and therefore future earning potential) if he played his senior season at Mizzou and put up the numbers we now know he is capable of putting up.

I'm sure Leo has some family considerations that figure into his decision.  A guy can make a good living playing basketball in Europe.  It indeed is tempting.

But Leo, you have finally gotten your confidence at the college level.  With that confidence you have discovered you can be a physical player inside and a finesse player outside.  With that confidence, you realize you can be a star next season.  If you are a star next season, there will be no questions about your ability to succeed in the NBA.  If you go now, your confidence might get shattered.  Those guys in the NBA are a tad better than the Big 12.

Stay for your senior season and you'll get a college degree which will last a lifetime.  You'll get a chance to be a star at Mizzou which will last a lifetime.  You'll get a chance to help rebuild a program like Martin Rucker did in football.  You only get to be a senior in college once, and let me tell you it can be a pretty fun thing.

If you can hold off turning pro for one season the payoff will be great, and it will last a lifetime.