Bowling Green State University Athletics
BG News Feature on Keith McLeod
June 27, 2002 | Men's Basketball
June 27, 2002
Keith Mcleod will spend tonight much like he has spent most of the past eight years of his life: with a basketball in hand. Mcleod will await word regarding the next phase of his illustrious career as the NBA's annual draft commences in New York City. But don't expect him to be tuned in.
"I won't be watching it," he said with a smile. "I'll be at the gym, working out."
The Canton native finished at or near the top of nearly every category in the University's basketball record book in his four years. After being named to the Mid-American Conference's second team as a junior, McLeod burst onto the scene at the beginning of the 2001-2002 campaign and stayed in the spotlight until the very end of the season. After scoring 33 points in a season-opening win over Mississippi in Alaska, McLeod continued on a tear that would lead his team to a 24-8 record and an NIT bid.
He recently worked out with the Los Angeles Clippers, and left Sunday morning for Portland to workout with the Trailblazers.
"The Clippers' guy I talked to said that they had him do some paperwork on me," McLeod said. "And he told me if that ever happens, they're pretty impressed."
Size may be everything
For his effort and accomplishments, though, McLeod may be on the outside looking in of the two-round Draft. Despite his accolades, McLeod is not being tabbed by any major NBA expert as a first-rounder, and may not have a spot in the second round either. While no one doubts the ability he has, skeptics make a case for the limited number of spots in the league and McLeod's size being blockades to his being drafted.
"Keith has some obstacles, definitely," BG coach Dan Dakich said. "There is very limited space in the draft now, and so many guys looking to be in there. It"s hard to show drive and determination at a tryout camp, and that is one of Keith's main strengths, his work ethic. He'll work harder than anybody; but it's hard to show that to scouts who haven't seen it."
Ball State coach Tim Buckley, whose team split with BG in 2001-2002, has seen plenty of McLeod in the last four years. McLeod almost single-handedly brought his team back from a double-digit deficit in Muncie in January before losing by 13. McLeod finished with 36-points. Then, in the MAC Tournament semifinals in March, Mcleod dropped 36 more on the Cardinals, including 24 in the second half, when BG pulled away.
"Keith Mcleod was the best player in our conference last year, and deserved the Player of the Year," Buckley said. "There's no telling when or where he will go in the draft, but his work ethic will get him to where he wants to be. I'm sure he would admit that he will have to prove that he can play the one (point guard) at times, due to his size. But, once again, I'm sure he will find his niche somewhere and prove he can do just that."
McLeod has no doubts about any part of his game, evidenced by his confidence on the court. McLeod made game-winning shot after game-winning shot last season, including heroics against Michigan, UNC-Wilmington, Mississippi and Akron, to name a few.
"I was actually measured out at 6'3" a few days ago, so somebody owes me an inch all these years," McLeod said jokingly. "I look at everything as a challenge. I played the point my first year here, before Brandon (Pardon) came here, so I know I can play that position. My size won't matter that much; I've guarded bigger guys before and had bigger guys guard me."
Everything happens for a reason
Once again, it may all resort back to the big vs. small school issue, much like the Falcons' NCAA Tournament bid did back in March. Steve Logan, a first-team All-American guard from Cincinnati, and standing in at 6 feet, has been tabbed as a mid-to-late first-round choice by most experts. With similar skills as McLeod, Logan, just one of many small players at big schools who will likely go ahead of McLeod, will get guaranteed money and have a roster spot. Does the former Falcon, who almost signed with Cincinnati before comitting to Bowling Green, wish things would have been different?
"I've been told so many times by my family and friends that things happen for a reason, and I came to Bowling Green for a reason,"
McLeod said. "It's natural, I think, to wonder what might have been sometimes, but I loved it here and don't regret it for a second."
Dakich said that Bowling Green was as good for McLeod as McLeod was for Bowling Green.
"Keith grew up here," Dakich said. "The basketball here has been good for him, but the school has been good for him, too. He came in halfway through his first semester in order to get his SAT scores up, and he has come such a long way since then as a person and as a player. It's been a great place for him."
Finding his niche
Many coaches agree that McLeod's best bet may be to do like so many guards have done in the past in the league: to find his niche and stick to that for his career. Ohio University head coach Tim O'Shea has been around many players who have done exactly that. He coached John Bagley, Michael Adams, Cuttino Mobley and Dana Barros, among others, and explained how those men made it in the NBA.
"There's always room for a shooter," O'Shea said. "Dana Barros has been in the league for a long, long time, because he does what he does very well. Keith McLeod is a great basketball player, and can make it in the NBA if he does what he does well. The hardest position to make it in the NBA is as an undersized guard. Keith can go off the dribble and get his own shot, but the difference between a guy like Cuttino Mobley and Keith is two inches. ... and that makes a big difference."
Dakich shared his thoughts on the size of the NBA.
"I went to a Pistons-Celtics playoff game, and everyone's so big," Dakich said. "I saw Kenny Anderson (Celtics' point guard) in the hallway after the game, and he's big. He's like 6'4", and he's big. "The thing about Keith is that he has so many things going for him. Yeah, he can play basketball. He can shoot, create his own shot, and rebound really well. But he does two things that are his real strengths: he is really, really tough. He can go and go and go, and that's a big quality to have. And, he'll outwork you. Whether it's the summertime, or whenever, he will outwork you. He does whatever it takes to succeed, and not everyone has that."
Draft History
The draft went 21 rounds in 1960, but shortened to 10 rounds in 1974. In 1985, the draft was shortened to seven rounds. Now, the two-round draft gives undrafted players the chance to try out for any team. Antonio Daniels was the last Bowling Green player.
If McLeod does not get drafted with one of the 58 selections tonight, he will continue to work out for teams and look for a free agent contract.
"I understand that I might not go, and if that's the case, I'll keep working," he said.
Toledo coach Stan Joplin knows McLeod well, too; McLeod has been torturing Joplin's Rockets for four years. "I'm a Keith McLed fan; I got to know him through the recruiting process, and he's a great guy," Joplin said. "He's just got to get the right look at the right time. All he needs to do is impress one person who is looking for what he has. And with his talents and skills, he'll do that."
