Welcome to “That’s A Wrap,” our player-by-player recap of the 2021-2022 Indiana Hoosiers. At the moment: Anthony Leal.
Leal (17 video games): 1.9 factors, 1.1 assists, .9 rebounds, 40.7 FG%, 53.7 eFG% in 10.2 minutes per recreation.
Beforehand: Logan Duncomb, Tamar Bates
Anthony Leal, Indiana’s 2020 Mr. Basketball, has had a minimal on-court affect all through his first two seasons in Bloomington.
The Bloomington South product noticed his minutes lower in his second season at Indiana following the teaching change from Archie Miller to Mike Woodson.
After not enjoying in 4 of the crew’s first seven video games, a five-game stretch in December provided hope that Leal would earn an elevated position.
In video games towards Nebraska, Wisconsin, Merrimack, Notre Dame and Northern Kentucky, Leal logged 15.2 minutes per recreation, however his offensive manufacturing in these contests didn’t quantity to a lot. Leal took solely 10 pictures over these 5 video games, making three of his makes an attempt.
After enjoying 5 minutes in a 61-58 loss at Penn State on Jan. 2, Leal didn’t play in Indiana’s subsequent 5 video games. He did begin and play 34 minutes in Indiana’s 59-51 loss at Northwestern on Feb. 8, however performed only a whole of 29 minutes over the ultimate 12 video games of the 2021-22 marketing campaign. In eight of these 12 video games, he didn’t play in any respect.
Shortly after the conclusion of the season, Leal shared the next message on Twitter:
Lookup, not out
Past blessed that God permits me to put on INDIANA throughout my chest. Again to work for subsequent season?? pic.twitter.com/55lmxQ6qE7
— Anthony Leal (@anthonyl3al) March 18, 2022
So what does the long run for Leal appear like in Bloomington?
When he’s been on the ground, Leal has defended nicely, however his offensive recreation has not gotten off the bottom. In a program in determined want of perimeter capturing, Leal’s capturing has not but translated from the highschool degree.
In 37 profession video games for the Hoosiers, Leal is 16-of-52 on 3s (30.8 %). In Massive Ten video games, he’s 11-of-34 from distance (32.3 %).
What’s not identified at this level is how Leal will match into Indiana’s backcourt gamers subsequent season and past. The Hoosiers misplaced Parker Stewart, Rob Phinisee and Khristian Lander to the switch portal, however look to be returning key items in Tamar Bates, Miller Kopp, Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway. Within the 2022 recruiting class, Indiana is bringing in combo guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and capturing guard CJ Gunn. Within the 2023 recruiting class, the Hoosiers have Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton already dedicated. There’s additionally the potential for additions from the switch portal.
How can Leal carve out a constant position for himself transferring ahead?
Flattening perimeter pictures with extra consistency and exhibiting extra aggressiveness in in search of his shot when he’s on the ground. In a lot of his appearances over his first two seasons, Leal has not regarded for his shot and has handed up beauty in favor of transferring the ball to his teammates. Defensively, he appears to be like greater than able to holding his personal and defending on the degree Mike Woodson expects and calls for.
Backside Line: Leal is a good teammate, a wonderful consultant of this system and a Bloomington native who grew up dreaming about enjoying for the Hoosiers. It’s an vital offseason for him to enhance his recreation if his position goes to extend transferring ahead. Woodson and the teaching workers will proceed to herald extra expertise and the competitors for minutes will solely develop into stiffer. For Leal to earn extra of a chance to play, his exterior capturing should develop into extra constant.
Quotable: “After they first informed me (I used to be beginning), I used to be in shock. However I simply tried to concentrate on benefiting from it and following the scout and ensuring that we bought off to an excellent begin, that type of stuff. Staying true to what I do and trusting myself.” – Leal after incomes his first profession begin towards Northern Kentucky on Dec. 22.
Filed to: Anthony Leal
