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Knicks Host Award-Winning Rookie for Draft Workout

The New York Knicks are bringing in one of the best defensive prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jeremy Brener

Bradley's Malevy Leons (14) high-fives teammate Darius Hannah in the second half of their nonconference basketball game against Vermont on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Carver Arena.
Bradley's Malevy Leons (14) high-fives teammate Darius Hannah in the second half of their nonconference basketball game against Vermont on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Carver Arena. / MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR / USA TODAY
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The New York Knicks have prided themselves on the defensive side of the ball with coach Tom Thibodeau at the helm.

That's why the team is bringing in Bradley forward Malevy Leons in for a pre-draft workout.

Leons, who turns 25 in September, is one of the oldest prospects in this year's draft, but that could be a welcome sign for the Knicks.

Leons began his career in the Netherlands, his home country, playing for Apollo Netherlands for two years from 2017-19. Then, he came to college in the United States at Mineral Area College for two seasons before transferring to Bradley.

At Bradley, Leons played three seasons and is the two-time reigning Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year. This past season, he was named First-Team All-MVC after averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting just over 34 percent from beyond the 3-point line.

The 3-point numbers are respectable, the defense is proven and the size (6-9, 210 lbs.) is enough for him to defend multiple positions in the league.

Leons isn't expected to be drafted given his age, but that could allow the Knicks to sign him to an Exhibit 10 deal or even a two-way contract after the draft, and that would allow him to step into the organization.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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