Indiana Hoosiers coach send keys words to “You call that a true pro“: Anthony Leal’s play key in Indiana’s victory over Iowa

After the game, you could hear them in the passageways under Assembly Hall.

Kids and fans dressed in cream and scarlet yelled for the native kid. The one who had just scored 13 points on Iowa, including three 3-pointers and game-winning free throws in the final seconds.

Anthony Leal, a former Indiana Mr. Basketball from Bloomington South High School not far from Assembly Hall, has struggled for minutes. But he would be the last person to tell you that.

“I think just really coming to work every day and understanding, like, me just putting this jersey on for practice, even, is more than a dream come true,” Leal told reporters after the game. “It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was young

His share has dwindled throughout his four years in Bloomington with last year seeing some real lows and multiple stretches where he didn’t see any time at all. But he just keeps showing up, putting that work in and doing whatever the team needs from him.

Tonight, that was on the court.

“Where I come from in the NBA, you call that a true pro,” Head coach Mike Woodson said. “And Anthony is the ultimate teammate, man, in terms of just hanging in there with me. And I’ve coached him and he’s come to practice every day and has done what’s asked of him and never complained, not once.”

He was called upon early and responded with a three, first from the left wing with nine minutes to go in the first half. Then another just a minute later, all alone at the crest of the arc.

When Leal makes a shot, the audience rises alongside him. He’s simple to root for because he’s always been a dynamic presence on the bench and the first to encourage teammates from the sidelines.

After the second shot sank and Iowa called a timeout, his teammates encircled him on the court as he took in the moment.

He reclaimed the lead in the second half with a eurostep and added his third three of the night two minutes later to reclaim it. In crunch time, he converted the final two free throws to seal the Hoosiers’ 74-68 victory.

It wasn’t all about the offense, though. Leal contributed seven of Indiana’s 42 rebounds, and his awareness of the Hoosiers’ offensive and defensive tactics kept them on their toes when Iowa pressed or went for a bucket.

Indiana won’t win tonight without Leal, who got the game ball for his efforts.
Indiana Hoosiers Coach Sends Key Words to “You Call That A True Pro”: Anthony Leal’s play is vital in Indiana’s victory over Iowa.