McLeod gets one year GUARANTEED contract!!!

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:46 am

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Cate ... 184972&r=7

McLeod signs deal with Jazz
Friday, October 1, 2004
By JOSH WEIR Repository sports writer

In the fickle world of NBA labor, Keith McLeod just got a bit of security.

The former McKinley High School basketball star signed a one-year guaranteed contract with the Utah Jazz on Thursday afternoon.

“I feel like this is a great opportunity to be in,” McLeod said. “They’re one of the rising teams in the league with one of the best coaches (in Jerry Sloan). I definitely feel like I can keep progressing there and learn.”

After appearing in 33 games as a free-agent rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, McLeod was waived a day before his contract would have been guaranteed for the season. He averaged 2.7 points, 1.8 assists and 1.0 rebounds in almost 12 minutes with Minnesota.

He now joins a Jazz team that added Carlos Boozer and Memhet Okur this offseason to the nucleus of Andrei Kirilenko, Gordan Giricek, Matt Harpring and Carlos Arroyo.

“He’s on the continuation of an upward path that a lot of guys that were undrafted have traveled,” McLeod’s agent Mark Termini said, mentioning veterans Earl Boykins, Damon Jones, Chucky Atkins and Darrell Armstrong as examples.

The 6-foot-2 McLeod — the 2002 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year while at Bowling Green — opened some eyes recently with his play on Minnesota’s summer league team. He averaged a team-high 13.8 points and 4.5 assists in four games, finishing second in the league in assists and fifth in scoring.

McLeod also worked out with San Antonio and Denver.

“Going in, I didn’t know what they wanted,” McLeod said of the Jazz workout last week. “I just figured I would play hard, give great effort and play tough (defense), laying what I had on the table. They must of saw something they liked.”

McLeod’s contract is worth $750,000, with $250,000 guaranteed. He’s expected to be the third point guard behind Arroyo and Raul Lopez when Utah opens training camp Tuesday.

BGSU33 · Post by **BGSU33** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 2:40 am

AWESOME! I am very happy for Keith, he deserves it!

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 2:13 pm

Hey that is GREAT news! Way to go, Keith!

Metz · Post by **Metz** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 2:17 pm

ZiggyZoomba wrote:McLeod’s contract is worth $750,000, with $250,000 guaranteed. He’s expected to be the third point guard behind Arroyo and Raul Lopez when Utah opens training camp Tuesday.

Congrats to Keith! That is more money than I will probably ever see! I think he can move up to back-up by the all-star break too. Both of their PG's aren't that great. I guess it all depends on how training camp goes for him.

Falconboy · Post by **Falconboy** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:15 pm

Good job Keith , perservering!

It's about time somone noticed that Keith's got skills. Although I'm not Utah Jazz fan by any means. Would've been nice if the Spurs could've gotten him. :-\

falconboy

Jham · Post by **Jham** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:27 am

McMetz,
Did you see Arroyo play in the Olympics?

For the time being, McLeod is at best a backup...Which is not a bad thing at all..McLeod was the most dynamic baskteball player I have ever seen, because he did it all...Yes, he hit game-winners, which were all amazing (remember the UNC Charlotte game in winter 2001/spring 2002?!?!?!), but he was that team's best defender (including Crawford) and gave Lenny and Cowboy a break on the boards, as well.

I will never forget the Gund in 2002 when he beat Akron and then torched Ball State.

Ahhhhh, memories.

Speaking of that season, does anyone have video from that year?

Wow. I'm getting goosebumps thinking of Michigan and UNCC and the Gund.

BleedOrange · Post by **BleedOrange** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:31 am

That performance up at Central Michigan. As clutch as clutch gets.

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 1:16 am

Just wanted to let people know, myself and an associate are working on something pretty cool with regards to Keith...

More details to follow!

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 2:55 am

That is great news for Keith. And Grant, your little tease also is enough to tickle the round ball jones inside of me. . .Nothing better than Anderson Arena afternoons. . .

BGSUfanatUT · Post by **BGSUfanatUT** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 2:56 am

GO KEITH!

i hope they bring stockton out of retirement, i would fly out to mormonville to watch a game if they were on the court together.

Metz · Post by **Metz** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 3:56 am

Jham wrote:McMetz,
Did you see Arroyo play in the Olympics?

For the time being, McLeod is at best a backup...

A back-up to Arroyo yes, but I don't feel he should back up Lopez.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 1:24 pm

Great news for Keith. The guy can play some ball, and it wouldn't surprise me if he develops into a spot starter in the NBA. The way that league drafts nowadays there are a ton of good players who go into other leagues (a la Keith) and then eventually become NBA level players.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:22 pm

Not Falc'n bad. Good to finally have a pair in the league full-time.

BGSUBOY · Post by **BGSUBOY** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:47 am

great news mckleod, not only is he a great player, but also a hella nice guy...acted like just another one of the boys back in the dorm days... good work KEITH!

McLeod gets one year GUARANTEED contract!!!

McLeod gets one year GUARANTEED contract!!!

Re: McLeod gets one year GUARANTEED contract!!!

Ah!!!! Yes!!

Aren't that great?

...ALSO....

Something special

Re: Aren't that great?