South Carolina’s top basketball prospect is taking the final step of his high school career somewhere else.
Josh Leonard, the standout from Wilson High in Florence, is transferring to IMG Academy in Florida, Upward Stars AAU coach Curt Wheeler confirmed Wednesday to The State. Leonard competes with the Stars on the Adidas AAU circuit, and Sam Kayser of League Ready was first to report the move.
The decision had been circulating for months, even as Leonard suited up with Wilson High during the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Live event in June. Now, the 6-foot-7 wing is headed to Bradenton, Fla., to finish out his prep career at a national powerhouse.
IMG Academy went 21-9 this year and had been part of the Nike EYBL Scholastic Basketball League before leaving last season. The program also announced Jackson Johnson as its new coach in May.
Leonard’s profile keeps rising. He is ranked as a top-40 national prospect by 247Sports Composite, On3 and ESPN, and he just claimed his second straight S.C.
Gatorade Player of the Year award after a huge season. Leonard averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 55.7%.
He’s also putting up strong numbers this summer, averaging 19.4 points and 6.3 rebounds for Upward Stars.
On the recruiting front, South Carolina and Clemson remain in the mix, along with Tennessee, North Carolina State, Michigan, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. USC coach Lamont Paris, assistants Bob Donewald and Carey Rich, and Clemson coach Brad Brownell were all on hand at the S.C. Live event to watch Leonard play.
Neither USC nor Clemson has a commitment yet for the Class of 2027.
“I’ve got a good relationship with USC and Clemson,” Leonard said. “They are pushing me to stay at home and play. Both want to see me continue to develop my game.”
Leonard now joins a list of notable South Carolina players who finished their senior seasons away from home. Blythewood’s Julian Phillips, Keenan’s Dillon Jones and AC Flora’s Collin Murray-Boyles all did the same at Link Academy, Sunrise and Wasatch Academy, respectively, and all are now in the NBA.
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