Former Bradley Braves star, now in the NBA, returns to Peoria

PEORIA — What would Malevy do? Golden State Warriors forward Malevy Leons came home to visit the Bradley Braves on Wednesday and talked about his career on the Hilltop that paved his way to the NBA, the sprawling NCAA transfer portal, the thought of playing for rival Illinois State and more. "In the three years I was here, I had a great experience, got to meet so many people and I wouldn't trade that for the world," Leons said.

"It's still the same here. (Bradley head coach) Brian Wardle will make sure the program stays the way it is, the players will get the same motivation, the same development and expectations that we had when I was here. " Leons graduated and left the Bradley Braves in pursuit of a dream after the 2023-24 season and came back Wednesday as a member of an NBA roster.

The two-time Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year was in Peoria and hung out with the Braves, shooting around with returnees from the 2025-26 team. Leons, 26, was signed in December to a two-year, two-way contract by the Golden State Warriors. A two-way deal pays the player one rate while he's in the NBA, and a lower rate if he's sent down to the parent club's G League team.

Leons, a 6-foot-9 forward, played 25 games for the Warriors in 2025-26, including two starts. He averaged 11 minutes per game, 2. 1 rebounds, and shot 44.