In today's age of college sports, it is seen less and less that an athlete spends their entire career at one school. With the transfer portal and NIL it's the wild wild west, while good in some ways, many players have made new priorities on their list, definitely losing a sense of loyalty to the school they originally signed with.
However, some college athletes stay with the original commitments throughout their entire college career, and Indiana guard Anthony Leal is a prime example of someone who is loyal 100%.
After five seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program, Leal was thought to be done with his college career, expected to move on the next phase of life but as the great Lee Corso says "Not so fast, my friend."
According to Peegs.com, and 247Sports the Indiana graduate is appealing to the NCAA for another year of eligibility, looking to be a sixth year senior with the program.
The 2020 Indiana Mr. Basketball and four-star prospect was an impressive scorer during his career at Bloomington South. Leal averaged 18.5 points as a senior along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 steals as a junior according to Indiana University Athletics
Leal finished the season averaging a career-high 3.3 points per game while shooting 57.8% from the field, 41.2% on 17 3-point attempts and 61.9% at the free throw line.
Leal was snubbed from the Big Ten All-Defensive team but wasnamed Honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2024. He was also honored at senior day but hopes to return for the Darian DeVries led team in 2025-26.
Seniors Anthony Leal and Luke Goode will have to wait just a few weeks to hear from the NCAA about their ruling for the upcoming season.