Leon Bond III, a redshirt sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), has earned the prestigious Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Week award. This recognition marks a significant milestone for Bond, as it is his first career MVC honor. It also highlights a major moment for UNI basketball, with the last Panther to receive the accolade being Nate Heise in December of the previous year. Etruesports brings you an in-depth analysis of Bond’s remarkable achievements and his growing influence on UNI basketball.
Leon Bond’s Standout Performance
Hailing from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Leon Bond showcased an exceptional performance last week, setting career highs across multiple statistical categories. His achievements include:
- Points Scored: 37
- Field Goals Made: 12
- Three-Point Field Goals Made: 4
- Free Throws Made: 12
Bond’s 37-point explosion played a pivotal role in UNI’s commanding 104-76 victory over Montana. His performance stands as the highest-scoring effort in the MVC this season. Additionally, Bond secured his place in UNI history with the third-highest single-game point total ever recorded at the school. He came remarkably close to breaking UNI’s all-time scoring records, finishing just one point shy of Jeremy Morgan’s home record of 38 and three points short of the all-time record of 40, shared by Jerry Waugh and Cam Johnson.
Leon Bond III (image via Getty)Leading the Charge Against Washington State
Bond continued to display his consistency and scoring ability in UNI’s showdown against Washington State at the Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. Despite a hard-fought 76-68 loss, Bond led the Panthers in scoring alongside Tytan Anderson with 17 points. Nine of those points came in the first half, demonstrating his ability to step up in competitive matchups.
[Read also: No. 19 Bearcats Dominate Grambling with an 84-49 Victory]
A Rising Star in UNI Basketball
Leon Bond’s journey to UNI began after spending two years at Virginia, including a redshirt season in 2022-23. Now in his debut season with the Panthers, Bond has quickly established himself as one of the team’s most valuable players. His season averages speak to his versatility and efficiency:
- Points Per Game: 11.9
- Field Goal Percentage: 60.2%
- Rebounds Per Game: 5.3
- Assists Per Game: 1.5
- Steals Per Game: 1.0
With his high shooting accuracy and ability to contribute across various aspects of the game, Bond has become a key figure in UNI’s lineup and an emerging force within the MVC.
What’s Next for Bond and UNI?
The UNI Panthers are gearing up to resume MVC play on Sunday, December 29, with a highly anticipated home game against the Southern Illinois Salukis. Fans can catch the action live from the McLeod Center at 1 p.m. CT, with coverage available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network. Stay tuned to Etruesports for continued coverage of Bond’s performances and UNI’s progress throughout the MVC season.
Read also:- No. 19 Bearcats Dominate Grambling with an 84-49 Victory
