Maarty Leunen
Encyclopedia
Maarten "Maarty" Arthur Leunen (born September 3, 1985 in Vancouver, Washington
) is an American
professional basketball player. A power forward
formerly at the University of Oregon
, he was drafted with the 54th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft
by the Houston Rockets
. Leunen averaged 9.9 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game in his college career.
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.
team Darüşşafaka
, which is associated with the big Turkish club Efes Pilsen. Leunen was invited to play for the Houston Rockets
summer squad in the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League
. In July 2009, he joined the Italian League club Cantù
.
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. A power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
formerly at the University of Oregon
Oregon Ducks men's basketball
Oregon Ducks men’s college basketball is an intercollegiate basketball program that competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, representing the University of Oregon. The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon, then coached by Howard Hobson, won...
, he was drafted with the 54th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
by the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. Leunen averaged 9.9 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game in his college career.
High school
Prior to arriving at the University of Oregon, Leunen starred at Redmond High SchoolRedmond High School (Oregon)
Redmond High School is a public high school located in Redmond, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 48% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma...
in Redmond, Oregon
Redmond, Oregon
Redmond is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. Incorporated on July 6, 1910, the city is located on the eastern side of Oregon's Cascade Range, in the High Desert, and is considered the geographical heart of Central 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
South Salem High School
South Salem High School was the second public high school built in Salem, Oregon, in 1954, at which time the former Salem High School was renamed North Salem High School.-History:...
54-43 at Eugene's McArthur Court
McArthur Court
McArthur Court is a basketball arena located on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene and the former home of the Oregon Ducks men's and women's basketball teams, replaced in 2011 by Matthew Knight Arena....
. Leunen was named Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
state player of the year in 2004. Rated as the 14th best power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
prospect by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, Leunen chose the University of Oregon over offers from UCLA and Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
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
In the summer of 2008, Leunen signed with the Turkish LeagueTurkish Basketball League
The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
team Darüşşafaka
Darüssafaka S.K.
Darüşşafaka Cooper Tires, is a professional basketball club based in İstanbul, Turkey that plays in the Turkish Basketball League since 1992-93 season. Their home arena is the Ayhan Sahenk Sport Hall, sometimes called Ayhan Şahenk Arena. The club is sponsored by Çelik Motor a subsidiary of Turkish...
, which is associated with the big Turkish club Efes Pilsen. Leunen was invited to play for the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
summer squad in the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others...
. In July 2009, he joined the Italian League club Cantù
Pallacanestro Cantù
Pallacanestro Cantù is an Italian League professional basketball club that is based in Cantù. For sponsorship reasons, it is also known as Bennet Cantù, after Bennet, an Italian supermarket chain. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below...
.