Malevy Leons

Leons is a Dutch forward who reached the NBA through a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors after a decorated college career that included Junior College Player of the Year honors and consecutive MVC Defensive Player of the Year awards. His path to the league wound through the Dutch Basketball League, American junior college, and Bradley University before G League stints in Oklahoma City and Santa Cruz.

Born on September 23, 1999, in IJmuiden, Netherlands, Leons was raised by parents Iwan and Monique and played in the youth academy of Apollo Amsterdam. He debuted in the Dutch Basketball League during the 2017-18 season and became a permanent rotation player the following year, averaging 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds.

In 2020, Leons moved to the United States to attend Mineral Area College in Missouri. He led the team to a 20-0 record and a Midwest District championship, averaging 18.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 blocks. He was named Junior College Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He transferred to Bradley University for the 2021-22 season.

At Bradley, Leons won back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024. As a fifth-year senior, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 assists. After going undrafted in 2024, he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, was waived, and played for the Oklahoma City Blue. On December 8, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors. In February 2026, he and fellow Dutchman Quinten Post became the first pair of Dutch NBA teammates since 2009.

Leons is a versatile defender with length and positional awareness. Standing 6 feet 9 inches with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he has been praised for his defensive versatility and awareness for his size. Offensively, he is a developing shooter and transition scorer who fits best as a complementary wing with defensive versatility.