Lleyton Leonard, a 6‑foot‑4 wing from Basha High School in Arizona, has been selected for the USA High School Select Team that will compete in the Shanghai Future Star Basketball Championship in China from August 6 through 17. The invitation places him among elite prospects from China, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and Spain, all vying for top honors on an international stage.
A Global Stage for a Young Talent
Leonard’s journey to this tournament reflects a blend of high‑school excellence and elite club competition. He starred for the Oakland Soldiers on the EYBL circuit, earned a spot at the Nike Top 100 camp, and captured a No. 56 ranking in ESPN’s SCNEXT 60. His performance in Section 7 and Nevada Live events has already drawn attention from scouts across the country.
Balancing the rigors of international travel with academic responsibilities, Leonard will complete his coursework online while away from Basha. The Chandler Unified School District began its 2026–27 school year in mid‑July, allowing him to stay on track despite the August trip.
Family Roots and Community Support
Coach Mike Grothaus has praised Leonard’s tireless work ethic and the role his family has played in his development. His father, Louis Leonard, enjoyed a career in the NFL, underscoring a lineage of athletic achievement. Lacey Leonard, his mother, recalled the moment the call about the Shanghai trip arrived during a summer visit to Georgia, where he had just played in the Peach Jam.
Leonard expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, noting that representing the United States on a global stage is a dream he never imagined as a child. He aims to continue improving, aspiring to a top spot in his basketball career while staying grounded in the values instilled by his family and coaches.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament approaches, Leonard joins a cohort of young athletes poised to showcase their talents before an international audience. The experience promises to cement his status as Arizona’s highest‑ranked public‑school prospect for the 2028 class and could open new pathways toward collegiate and professional basketball.