Leonel Marshall Jr.

Leonel Marshall Borges Jr. (born 25 September 1979) is a Cuban professional volleyball player. He is an outside hitter, and is well known for his outstanding vertical jump. He helped the Cuban men's national volleyball team win the gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. He was the youngest member of the Cuban national team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where he finished in seventh place.

2001 Defection
In 2001, Marshall was one of six players on the Cuban national team to leave a hotel they stayed at in Flanders, Belgium for a tournament, and from there rode a train to Italy for political asylum. The other players were Ihosvany Hernández, Jorge Luis Hernández, Ángel Dennis, Yasser Romero, and Ramón Gato. Once they were granted asylum in Italy, this group was referred to as "the defectors".

Club volleyball
Marshall has played for numerous European club teams such as M. Roma Volley, Pallavolo Piacenza, and Fenerbahçe. Currently he is playing for Sieco Service Ortona.

Personal life
Marshall is the son of retired Cuban volleyball player Leonel Marshall Sr., who competed in both the 1976 Summer Olympics and 1980 Summer Olympics.

Honors

 * CEV Cup runner up with Pallavolo Piacenza: 2004, 2007
 * CEV Top Teams Cup winner with Pallavolo Piacenza: 2006
 * Italian Championship winner with Pallavolo Piacenza: 2009
 * Italian Championship runner up with Pallavolo Piacenza: 2004, 2007
 * Turkish Championship winner with Fenerbahçe: 2010–11, 2011–12
 * Turkish Volleyball Cup winner with Fenerbahçe: 2011-12
 * Turkish Volleyball Super Cup winner with Fenerbahçe: 2011-12
 * CEV Challenge Cup winner with Fenerbahçe: 2013-14

Individual

 * World League 2001: "Best service"
 * Cuban sports 2002: "Talented player award"
 * CEV Cup 2005–06: "MVP"
 * Turkey League 2010–11: "MVP"
 * Turkey League 2010–11: "Best receiver"
 * Turkey League 2013–14: "Best receiver"
 * Turkey League 2014–15: "Best receiver"