Josh Leonard
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Scout Report
A 6-foot-6 power forward at IMG Academy is playing against some of the deepest prep competition in the country, and the offer sheet shows it. Fourteen Division I programs have already made their pitch, including four from the ACC. That's a lot of coaches agreeing on a player who plays below the traditional size of his position.
Background
Josh Leonard comes out of Florence, South Carolina, a mid-sized city in the Pee Dee region that doesn't churn out national recruits every year. That makes the path notable. He left home for IMG Academy in Bradenton, one of the most loaded prep rosters in the country, where every rotation spot gets contested daily. South Carolina's staff has offered, so the home-state pull is real. The same goes for the programs that have come from outside the Southeast.
Playing Style
Leonard's profile is the modern undersized four, and that role asks for a particular kind of game. At 6-6, a forward in that spot has to win with quickness, motor, and feel rather than pure length. He needs to be able to guard multiple positions, switch onto smaller players on the perimeter, and still hold his ground against bigger bodies in the paint. On offense, the best versions of this archetype make quick decisions. They catch on the move, attack closeouts, finish through contact, and keep the ball from sticking. They also fit well in lineups built around guards who pressure the rim, because they space the floor and crash the glass from the weak side. Playing at IMG means Leonard is judged against high-level athletes every day, and his ranking says he has held up. The next step for college staffs is working out exactly which role he fills, a small-ball five, a stretch four, or a wing-sized forward who rebounds and defends.
Strengths
The strongest evidence of what Leonard does well is who is recruiting him. Cal, Cincinnati, Clemson, Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, and South Carolina represent different systems, and all of them see a fit. That range usually means versatility: a player who can slot into a physical SEC frontcourt or a more positionless ACC lineup. Coaches who watch his tape are looking at a forward who has earned a top-30 national ranking in a class where the top of the board is crowded. The IMG pedigree also tells staffs he has already handled a high-pressure, high-talent environment, which shortens the adjustment period on campus.
Areas to Watch
The central question for any 6-6 power forward is how the game translates against college-sized bodies. Rim protection, post defense, and rebounding in traffic will all be tested at a higher level, so the tape that matters most is the possession-by-possession work against the biggest players he faces. Perimeter skill is the other lever. The more reliably he can shoot, handle, and make reads from the wing, the less his height matters and the more positions he can play.
Player Comparison
A useful reference point is the undersized, versatile forward who has become common in high-major college basketball: players listed around 6-6 to 6-7 who play the four, rebound well for their size, and guard in space. Without full measurables and a detailed skill breakdown in hand, a single-name comparison would be forced. The archetype is the better guide, and Leonard's recruitment suggests programs see him in it.
Recruitment
Fourteen D1 offers is a strong haul, and the list covers the ACC, SEC, and Big East. Cal, Cincinnati, Clemson, Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, and South Carolina are the confirmed names, with six more on the board. No commitment is on record, and as a 2027 prospect he is in the thick of the decision window. South Carolina has the home-state edge, and Clemson and NC State bring regional proximity along with ACC competition. A decision could come as his senior season develops, and the best guess is that it lands with a high-major program in the Southeast.
Projection
At the college level, Leonard projects as a rotation forward at a high-major program, with the potential to grow into a starter if the perimeter skills and defensive versatility continue to develop. The range of outcomes is wide. A smaller-than-ideal frame can limit a player at the next stage, but forwards who rebound, defend multiple positions, and play with energy have carved out long careers. The professional path depends on how much of his game sharpens over the next few years, and a spot at IMG gives him a strong platform for that.
Updated Oct 27, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team
Career Journey
Wilson
PREP SCHOOL
Adidas 3SSB
AAU
Career Highlights
GOING PUBLIC w/this and would appreciate the amplification! So, this is MY face on a press release for a film being made by two major studios
Now that's a true bromance. Humpday returns to the 2026 #SundanceFilmFestival, screening in the Park City Legacy program
Premiering at the 2009 #SundanceFilmFestival, the bold exploration of friendship and masculinity won the Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence
F'n PJ. Fucking fuck. @jamesransone All love and RIP you beautiful, golden bastard
The little one turned 9 today. Mama woulda been 81 on the 17th
Well, it took a few decades, but we made it back to the woods! This time, unrecognizable as 'kids'
Dear @markduplass and @katieaselton — Fuck, Goonies is just like the best movie ever. Just watched it with Wilder
This Friday!!!!! Join @aaronroseofficial and me at the incredible @opositivefest for a screening of our documentary, Beautiful Losers
Josh Leonard scored 27 points in 63-56 win over Hartsville
2027 Josh Leonard had 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting in win, showing efficiency and strength with 6'7 frame
Offers
14
Cal
Cincinnati
Clemson
Mississippi State
NC StateOffers sourced from 247Sports and social media monitoring.
Social Activity
Epic fall dude’s night fire-hang with @audreysfarmhouse and he who shall not be named. Miss you @tritewit !!!
@thejoshleonard7 @JTVankallen2027 @1ColtFowler @shiftyaaden1 @RobertWylie2_ @JacksonTerrel17 @2JadenJohnson @LittlejohnRick1 @jvgetsbusyyy @kaiparris_ @BeauBrannon99 @KobeSims2027 @TristanAnd25 @LandrumHoops @keenanhoops @imjoshgamble