Jon Leuer

Classroom

Leuer is on pace to graduate on time in May 2011 with a 3.0 GPA in history, specializing in post-Civil War American history. He’s a two-time academic All-Big Ten honoree. Leuer’s career interests include basketball coach or teacher.

Character

Leuer is the unquestioned leader and captain of the team, serving as the team spokesman. He was chosen as the keynote speaker for the Endowment Luncheon out of a pool of more than 800 Wisconsin student-athletes. The speaker is chosen to epitomize the student-athlete, representing integrity, academic excellence and athletic success. Leuer broke his wrist in the middle of the 2009-10 season and was told that it was a season-ending injury. Following surgery, he returned to UW’s lineup after missing just nine games and led the team in scoring and rebounding over the final six games. “Jon is definitely the guy everyone looks up to,” coach Bo Ryan said. “He has the ability to lead by his great work ethic, but also by the way he handled his injury last season. Some guys disappear, but Jon didn’t do that. Jon was a leader even when he was out. He embraces that role.”

Community

Leuer participated in a mentoring program at a Madison juvenile detention center, speaking to youth about living a positive lifestyle. He’s also involved in the Go Big Read campaign, UW-Madison’s common-reading program. He visited numerous elementary schools in the Madison area to promote reading and to engage students in literature discussion. Leuer also served as the guest spokesman for the Sun Prairie School District’s physical fitness programs and has made trips to visit kids at the Madison Children’s Hospital.

Competition

Leuer is on the preseason Wooden Award watch list as well as third-team preseason All-American and first-team preseason All-Big Ten by Blue Ribbon Yearbook. Last year he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection despite missing half of the conference season, and he led the team in points (15.4 ppg), rebounds (4.8 rpg) and blocks (1.6 bpg). This summer Leuer was one of 10 collegiate players invited to train with USA Basketball in both Las Vegas and New York in advance of Team USA’s gold medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championships.