Maarty Leunen Explained

Maarty Leunen
Height M:2.06
Weight Kg:108
Nationality:American
Birth Date:3 September 1985
Birth Place:Vancouver, Washington
High School:Redmond (Redmond, Oregon)
College:Oregon (2004–2008)
Draft Year:2008
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:54
Draft Team:Houston Rockets
Career Start:2008
Career End:2021
Career Position:Power forward
Years1:2008–2009
Team1:Darüşşafaka
Years2:2009–2014
Team2:Mapooro Cantù
Years3:2014–2015
Team3:ratiopharm Ulm
Years4:2015–2018
Team4:Sidigas Avellino
Years5:2018–2020
Team5:Fortitudo Bologna
Years6:2020–2021
Team6:Cantù
Highlights:

Maarten Arthur "Maarty" Leunen (born September 3, 1985) is a former American professional basketball player. A power forward formerly at the University of Oregon, he averaged 9.9 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game in his college career.[1]

High school

Prior to arriving at the University of Oregon, Leunen starred at Redmond High School in Redmond, Oregon. Leunen led Redmond to the state championship in 2003, where they beat Hillsboro High School 50-47 at Portland's Memorial Coliseum. In 2004, he led Redmond to the state championship game but the team fell short, losing to South Salem High School 54-43 at Eugene's McArthur Court. Leunen was named Gatorade state player of the year in 2004. Rated as the 14th best power forward prospect by Rivals.com, Leunen chose the University of Oregon over offers from UCLA and Gonzaga University as well as many others.

College career

After solid contributions as a true freshman and sophomore for the Ducks, Leunen became one of the most important pieces to Oregon's 2006–2007 campaign. In the Ducks' four-guard offense, Leunen often found himself matched up against bigger, taller opponents. His post defense, rebounding and offensive versatility (namely his ability to shoot the three and run the floor) created problems for opponents all season long. Leunen's junior season performance garnered him All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention status.

Professional career

Europe

After being drafted by the Houston Rockets, Leunen signed with the Turkish League team Darüşşafaka, which is associated with the big Turkish club Efes Pilsen in the summer of 2008.[2] In July 2009, he joined the Italian League club Pallacanestro Cantù.[3] In July 2014, he signed a one-year deal with the German club ratiopharm Ulm.[4]

On September 11, 2015, Leunen signed with Sidigas Avellino of the Italian Serie A.[5]

Leunen signed with Fortitudo Bologna in 2018. On July 15, 2020, he signed with Pallacanestro Cantù of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).[6]

On October 27, 2021, Leunen announced his retirement from professional basketball.[7]

NBA

Leunen was drafted with the 54th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets but didn't sign with them.[8] A year later, he was invited to play for the Rockets' summer squad in the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League.[9]

On January 22, 2016, Leunen's draft rights were traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Josh Smith, the draft rights to Serhiy Lishchuk and cash considerations.[10]

On July 23, 2018, Leunen's draft rights were traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Johnathan Motley and the draft rights to Renaldas Seibutis.[11]

On August 1, 2018, Leunen's draft rights were traded back to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chinanu Onuaku with the 2020 second-round pick and cash considerations.[12]

On February 7, 2019, Leunen's draft rights, along with Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin IV, were traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for cash considerations.[13]

Awards and accomplishments

Personal life

Leunen is married to Caitlin O'Neill, and they have three sons and one daughter.Leunen holds a youth basketball camp in his old hometown of Redmond, Oregon annually. Leunen is also an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater Redmond High School

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Prospect Profile. NBA.com. September 11, 2015.
  2. Web site: Q&A With Daryl Morey. September 23, 2008. NBA.com. September 11, 2015.
  3. Web site: Cantù inks Leunen. July 14, 2009. Sportando.com. September 11, 2015.
  4. Web site: Ratiopharm Ulm lands Maarten Leunen. July 22, 2014. Sportando.com. September 11, 2015.
  5. Web site: Sidigas Avellino announces Maarten Leunen. September 11, 2015. Sportando.com. September 11, 2015.
  6. Web site: Cantu lands Maarten Leunen. July 15, 2020. Sportando. En. July 15, 2020.
  7. News: Italian basketball veteran Maarty Leunen announces retirement as a player. October 27, 2021. Sportando. En. October 27, 2021. Sportando . Redazione .
  8. Web site: Rockets select Donte Greene, Joey Dorsey, and Maarty Leunen in NBA Draft. June 30, 2008. NBA.com. September 11, 2015.
  9. Web site: 2009 Rockets Summer League Team. NBA.com. September 11, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160115163638/http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/team/index.jsp?team=rockets. January 15, 2016.
  10. Web site: L.A. CLIPPERS TRADE JOSH SMITH TO HOUSTON ROCKETS. NBA.com. January 22, 2016. January 22, 2016.
  11. Web site: In two transactions, Mavs acquire two players, trade Johnathan Motley to the Clippers. NBA.com. July 23, 2018. July 23, 2018.
  12. Web site: Mavericks Get Center Chinanu Onuaku in Trade With Rockets. nbcdfw.com. August 1, 2018. August 1, 2018.
  13. Web site: Pacers Complete Trade with Houston Rockets. NBA.com. February 7, 2019. February 7, 2019.