Malevy Leons of Mineral Area Annointed Player of the Year
Charlotte, NC – In a somewhat surprising move, although a very deserving candidate, Malevy Leons, the multi-purpose big man from Mineral Area College (MO) was named the NJCAA Men’s DI Player of the Year.
Leons, a 6’9″ G/F Sophomore from The Netherland, averaged 18.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per outing, complimented by 3.1 assists, 2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game.
Malevy (pronounced: mal-uh-vi’) started 24 of the 25 games the Cardinals played, hitting 56.4% of his shots, including 29.3% of his threes. That’s right the tallest man on the floor in most his games, was team high in 3 point FG attempts with 92 (making 27). Leons was also a 72.3% marksman from the free throw line.
As the Cardinals leading scorer and rebounder this year, Malevy put up solid but not staggering numbers for a POY. But it was his floor savvy, deft passing, flexibility of being able to play and guard anywhere on the court, and Sophomore leadership that made him special.
Leons, labeled the “dunking dutchman” by MAC radio play-by-play announcer Chad Speaker, was also a respectable ball handler capable of starting, facilitating, and finishing fast breaks. Because of that, he was invaluable to the Cardinals press break in route the programs best season ever, and first win in the National Tournament.
Not necessarily a household word at the start of the season, Leons popularity grew from the Cardinals team success (entering the national tournament as the only undefeated team in DI), and being ranked in the top five most of the season.
When told of the news by the NJCAA, Cardinals sixth year Head Coach Luke Strege had this to say about his star player, “Actually I was shocked, surprised, excited, for him and his teammates and family. What an honor to be named player of the year. But the even better thing about Malevy is that as good as a player he is, he’s an even better kid. He’s so much fun we’re going to miss him around here.”
Leons guided the Cardinals to an overall 24-1 record, losing only to eventual runner-up Cowley College in the national quarterfinal.
Malevy was also the recipient of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Two Year Player of the Year award and was named to the NJCAA All-American First Team earlier this week. In addition, he was on the ten member All-Tournament Team at Hutch as well as being the top vote getter on the All-Region 16 Team, making him their Player of the Year.
Leons helped the Cardinals to a Missouri Community College Athletic Conference Championship and the Midwest District title, which qualified them for the team’s fourth overall appearance in Hutch, and first since 2015.
On Tuesday past (May 4), Leons signed his letter of intent to play for Head Coach Brian Wardle and the Bradley Braves. Bradley University, located in Peoria, IL, competes at the NCAA DI level and is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
