From HNBT 2019 to teammates at Golden State Warriors
During the Holland Nordic Basketball Tournament (HNBT) 2019, Quinten Post and Malevey Leons played together on the Dutch under-20 national team.
By Martijn Loppersum
Six years later, they once again find themselves side by side on the court — this time as teammates for the Golden State Warriors in the 2025/2026 season. Their shared journey from a youth tournament to the NBA is a remarkable story.
The Holland Nordic Basketball Tournament
During the 2019 HNBT, Quinten Post was one of the standout players on the Dutch U20 team. Standing 2.13 meters tall, he combines the game of a traditional center with the shooting ability of a guard: three-pointers seem to come just as naturally to him as drives to the basket. At that time, he was still relatively unknown to the general public. Post began his basketball development at Apollo Amsterdam and later played in the youth academy of Alba Berlin. During the tournament he developed into one of the strongest players, although few people could have predicted just how far his career would eventually go.
Malevey Leons also stood out during the tournament, albeit in a different way. He did what he has always done: play solid, versatile basketball without drawing too much attention to himself. Leons does not dominate in a single statistic but contributes across the board. His 2.15-meter wingspan also makes him a difficult defender for opponents. In 2018, he had already made his debut in the Dutch Basketball League with Apollo Amsterdam.
The move to the United States
After the tournament, both players continued their careers in the United States.
Quinten Post began playing for Mississippi State in NCAA Division I. After one season, he transferred to Boston College, where he developed significantly. In his final college season, he was named to the Second Team All-ACC and the ACC All-Defensive Team, recognition of his strong performances on both ends of the floor.
Malevey Leons took a slightly different path. Through a junior college route, he ended up at Bradley University, where he played for three seasons. There he was teammates with another Dutch HNBT standout: Rienk Mast. At Bradley, Leons developed into a versatile forward with strong defensive qualities.
From college basketball to the NBA
Post’s strong final season at Boston College did not go unnoticed. In 2024, he was selected 52nd overall in the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, the team of players such as Stephen Curry. Through the Warriors’ G League team, Post eventually earned a two-year contract with the main roster.
His skill set fits well in modern NBA basketball. As a so-called stretch five, he combines size with a reliable three-point shot. Post even ranks among the centers with the highest three-point percentages in the league. With his high basketball IQ, he also shows strong chemistry with stars like Stephen Curry. Defensively, he has impressed as well: in several statistical rankings his name has even appeared in the top five for defensive rating in the NBA.
Post experienced a personal highlight on January 24, 2025, when he had his career night with 20 points against the Chicago Bulls.
Leons' road to Golden State
Malevey Leons was not selected in the NBA Draft, but he did receive an opportunity in the NBA Summer League with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After a strong season with Oklahoma City’s G League team — during which he also made his NBA debut — he attracted the attention of other teams.
Eventually, Leons signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors. Due to injuries within the team, he regularly received minutes with the main roster. There he once again showed where his strengths lie: strong defense, high energy, and contributing to the team without demanding the spotlight.
On February 25, 2026, Leons had one of his best games. In a win against the Memphis Grizzlies, he recorded 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 16 minutes of playing time.
From youth teammates to NBA teammates
The careers of Quinten Post and Malevey Leons show how unpredictable sports development can be. In 2019 they were still playing together at a youth tournament; just a few years later they are sharing the court in the NBA.
Their joint presence with the Golden State Warriors is not only a special moment for them personally, but also an inspiring example for young basketball players in the Netherlands. It shows that a path starting in Dutch sports halls, through international competitions, can ultimately lead to the highest level of basketball in the world.