Orono Native Jon Leuer Appreciates Every Moment Of NBA Dream
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Monday night, the Phoenix Suns came to Target Center and lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
One member of that Phoenix team is a local made good. Jon Leuer grew up in the west metro town of Orono. Now he's living the NBA dream and he appreciates it.
Leuer was just starting to blossom when he played at Orono High School. He took his game to the next level at Wisconsin, where he flourished for Bo Ryan and all along was nourishing an NBA dream.
"This was definitely my dream to play in this league. I think it's every young player's dream growing up. I've just been fortunate and blessed to be in this position, just trying to work as hard as I can to maximize my potential as a player," Leuer said.
He's made it, a journey that has included different stops is now in Phoenix playing for the Suns. He's making an impression.
"Jon Leuer is getting better as the season goes on. We know he can score, he can shoot the ball, he can play off the dribble, his toughness in the paint is emerging. He's becoming the type of player that we all envisioned him to become," Phoenix coach Earl Watson said.
What he's learned is not just how to get to the ultimate league, but how to stay in the ultimate league.
"Your work ethic and your character go a long way because everybody in this league is talented," Leuer said. "Everybody can contribute, and you have to seize opportunities too."
And that's what he does. He keeps working, fighting, re-defining his role.
"And now he's bringing in the toughness in the paint. The sky is the limit for him as long as he continues down that path," Watson said.
Leuer knows how hard it is to get there and how easily it can be taken away. And he is appreciative of all of it.
"Every day in this league I'm thankful for because it's a very short window to play and you just have to try to take advantage of every opportunity you get," Leuer said.