Kawhi Leonard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kawhi Leonard

Leonard in 2022
No. 2 – Los Angeles Clippers
Small forward
Personal information
Born	(1991-06-29) June 29, 1991 (age 33) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
High school	Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley, California) Martin Luther King (Riverside, California)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College	San Diego State (2009–2011)
NBA Draft	2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15th overall
Selected by the Indiana Pacers
Pro career	2011–present
League	NBA
Career history
2011–2018	San Antonio Spurs
2018–2019	Toronto Raptors
2019–present	Los Angeles Clippers
Career highlights and awards
2× NBA champion (2014, 2019) 2× NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019) 6× NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019–2021, 2024) NBA All-Star Game MVP (2020) 3× All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017, 2021) 3× All-NBA Second Team (2019, 2020, 2024) 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016) 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015–2017) 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014, 2019–2021) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012) NBA steals leader (2015) NBA 75th Anniversary Team AP Athlete of the Year (2019) Consensus second-team All-American (2011) 2× First-team All-MWC (2010, 2011) No. 15 retired by San Diego State Aztecs California Mr. Basketball (2009)

Kawhi Anthony Leonard (born June 29, 1991) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kawhi is known as a "two-way player" because he is great at both scoring points and playing defense. He has won two NBA championships and has been named the Finals MVP twice.

People often call him the "Claw" or "Klaw" because he has really big hands and is excellent at stealing the ball. He has been chosen for the All-Star team six times. He also won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice (in 2015 and 2016). In 2021, he was picked for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, which celebrates the best players in NBA history.

Kawhi played college basketball for two seasons at San Diego State University. He was a top player there before deciding to join the NBA draft in 2011. The Indiana Pacers first picked him, but he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on the same night.

With the Spurs, Kawhi won his first NBA championship in 2014 and was named the Finals MVP. After seven seasons, he moved to the Toronto Raptors in 2018. In 2019, he led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship and won his second Finals MVP award. He is one of only three players to win this award with two different teams. In July 2019, he joined his hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Kawhi Leonard went to Canyon Springs High School and then transferred to Martin Luther King High School in California. In his final year, he and his teammate Tony Snell helped their team, the King High Wolves, achieve an amazing 30 wins and only 3 losses.

That year, Kawhi averaged 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3 blocks per game. He was named California Mr. Basketball, an award for the best high school player in California. Experts considered him a top player, ranking him among the best small forwards in the country.

College Basketball Career

Kawhi played for the San Diego State Aztecs from 2009 to 2011.

Freshman Year (2009-2010)

As a freshman, Kawhi averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He helped his team get a 25-9 record and win the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament. This win sent them to the NCAA tournament. They lost in the first round, but Kawhi had 12 points and 10 rebounds in that game. He was the best rebounder in the MWC and earned several awards, including MWC Freshman of the Year.

Sophomore Year (2010-2011)

In his second year, Kawhi improved, averaging 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. The Aztecs had an even better record of 34-3 and won the conference tournament again. They made it to the "Sweet 16" in the NCAA tournament before losing to the team that would become national champions. After this season, Kawhi decided to leave college early to enter the 2011 NBA draft.

On February 1, 2020, San Diego State honored Kawhi by retiring his jersey number 15. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again. He was the first Aztecs men's basketball player to have his jersey retired.

Professional Basketball Career

When Kawhi Leonard entered the NBA in 2011, scouts noticed his strong work ethic. He was physically impressive, standing 6 feet 7 inches tall with a 7-foot-3-inch arm span and 11-inch hands. At first, he was known more for his defense and rebounding than his scoring.

San Antonio Spurs (2011–2018)

Starting in the NBA (2011–2013)

The Indiana Pacers picked Kawhi 15th overall in the 2011 NBA draft. But on the same night, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. He signed a multi-year contract with the Spurs in December 2011.

Kawhi was chosen to play in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge, a game for top young NBA players. He was also named to the 2012 NBA All-Rookie First Team, which recognizes the best first-year players. In the summer of 2012, he trained with the U.S. Olympic team, learning from stars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

In 2013, Kawhi played in the Rising Stars Challenge again, scoring 20 points. The Spurs made it to the NBA Finals that year, but they lost to the Miami Heat in seven games.

Winning a Championship and Finals MVP (2013–2014)

Kawhi Leonard giving a signed basketball to President Barack Obama at a White House event in 2015, celebrating the Spurs' 2014 NBA championship.

Kawhi had a great season in 2013-2014, averaging 12.8 points and 6.2 rebounds. He helped the Spurs achieve the best record in the NBA (62 wins, 20 losses). He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for his excellent defense.

The Spurs faced the Miami Heat again in the 2014 NBA Finals. Kawhi scored a career-high 29 points in Game 3. The Spurs won the series 4-1, and Kawhi was named the NBA Finals MVP. He was one of the youngest players ever to win this award, at 22 years old.

Defensive Player of the Year (2014–2015)

Kawhi dealt with an eye infection and a hand injury during the 2014-2015 season. Despite these issues, he played well. On April 23, 2015, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. This made him one of the few players in NBA history to win both Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.

First All-Star and Second DPOY (2015–2016)

In July 2015, Kawhi signed a new contract with the Spurs. He continued to improve his scoring. On January 21, 2016, he was chosen as a starter for the 2016 All-Star Game, his first time being selected.

He won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second year in a row, becoming the first non-center to do so since Dennis Rodman. Kawhi also finished second in the voting for the MVP award that season. The Spurs had an excellent record of 67 wins and 15 losses, but they lost in the second round of the playoffs.

Continued Success and Injury (2016–2017)

Kawhi Leonard playing for the Spurs in 2017.

Kawhi started the 2016-2017 season strong, scoring a career-high 35 points in the first game. He had several games where he scored over 30 points. He was named an All-Star starter again for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

In the playoffs, Kawhi continued to shine, setting new postseason scoring highs. The Spurs advanced to the Western Conference Finals. However, in Game 1, Kawhi injured his ankle and had to leave the game. He missed the rest of the series, and the Spurs lost to the Golden State Warriors. Despite the injury, he was named to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team for the second and third straight year, respectively.

Injury-Plagued Season (2017–2018)

Kawhi missed most of the 2017-2018 season due to a right quadriceps injury. He played in only nine games. His teammates reportedly tried to convince him to return to the court, but he did not play again that season.

Toronto Raptors (2018–2019)

Second NBA Championship and Finals MVP (2018–2019)

Kawhi Leonard shooting a free throw during Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

In July 2018, Kawhi and teammate Danny Green were traded to the Toronto Raptors. This was a big move for the Raptors, even with concerns about Kawhi's health.

Kawhi quickly made an impact, scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds in his first game for the Raptors. On January 1, 2019, he scored a career-high 45 points against the Utah Jazz.

In the playoffs, Kawhi was incredible. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers, he made a game-winning shot at the buzzer that bounced four times before going in. This was the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history. He finished that game with 41 points.

Kawhi then led the Raptors to the NBA Finals for the first time in team history. They faced the Golden State Warriors. Kawhi helped the Raptors win the series 4-2, claiming his second NBA championship. He was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time, becoming one of only three players to win the award with two different teams. He scored 732 points in the 2019 playoffs, one of the highest totals ever in a single postseason.

Los Angeles Clippers (2019–present)

All-Star Game MVP (2019–2020)

In July 2019, Kawhi signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. He debuted for the Clippers on October 22, 2019, scoring 30 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. When he returned to Toronto in December, he received a warm welcome and a standing ovation from the Raptors fans.

On January 24, 2020, Kawhi recorded his first career triple-double (scoring at least 10 in three different stats: points, rebounds, and assists). On February 16, he was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP for his performance in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

The 2019-2020 NBA season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it restarted in the "NBA Bubble," Kawhi continued to play well. The Clippers reached the Western Conference semifinals but were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets after losing a 3-1 series lead.

Season Ended with Injury (2020–2021)

In December 2020, Kawhi received an elbow to the face from a teammate, requiring eight stitches. He returned wearing a clear plastic mask. He led the Clippers to a 47-25 record. He was named to his seventh All-Defensive Team and fifth All-NBA Team.

In the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Clippers faced the Dallas Mavericks again. After falling behind 0-2, Kawhi led the team back, scoring 36 and 29 points in key games. He scored a career-high 45 points in Game 6 to help win the series.

In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers again faced a 0-2 deficit against the Utah Jazz. Kawhi helped them tie the series, but he got injured in Game 4 with a knee sprain. He missed the rest of the playoffs, and the Clippers lost in the Western Conference Finals. In July, he had surgery for a partial tear of his ACL.

Year Absence and Return (2021–2023)

Kawhi missed the entire 2021-2022 season while recovering from his knee injury. He re-signed with the Clippers in August 2021.

He made his return to play on October 3, 2022, in a preseason game. On October 20, he played his first regular season game in over a year. Throughout the 2022-2023 season, he showed flashes of his old form, scoring a season-high 44 points in one game. He helped the Clippers secure a playoff spot.

In the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns, Kawhi scored 38 points in Game 1. However, he then missed the rest of the series due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Without him and Paul George, the Clippers were eliminated.

Recent Seasons (2023–present)

On December 8, 2023, Kawhi scored a season-high 41 points against the Utah Jazz. In January 2024, he signed a contract extension with the Clippers. He also recorded his second career triple-double. In the 2024 playoffs, Kawhi played only two games due to a right knee injury. The Clippers lost in the first round to the Dallas Mavericks.

In October 2024, it was announced that Kawhi would miss the start of the 2024-2025 season due to knee inflammation. This injury happened during his training for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which he later withdrew from. He returned in January 2025 but then stepped away from the team to be with his family during the Southern California wildfires.

National Team Career

Kawhi has been a finalist for the U.S. Olympic basketball team roster multiple times. He was chosen for the 2024 Summer Olympics team in Paris. However, he later withdrew from the team due to his knee injury.

Player Profile

Kawhi Leonard is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 230 pounds. He mainly plays as a small forward.

He is considered one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He can guard many different positions and often defends the opposing team's best player. In 2021, he was ranked as the 34th greatest player in NBA history.

Early in his career, Kawhi was known for his defense and shooting. Over time, he became a very strong scorer. He can shoot well from mid-range and three-point range, and he's good at shooting fadeaway shots. He has also improved his passing skills, especially in recent seasons.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

Kawhi Leonard playing for San Diego State in 2009.

Awards and Honors

NBA

• 2-time NBA champion: 2014, 2019
• 2-time NBA Finals MVP: 2014, 2019
• 6-time NBA All-Star: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
• 1-time NBA All-Star MVP: 2020
• 6-time All-NBA:
  • All-NBA First Team: 2016, 2017, 2021
  • All-NBA Second Team: 2019, 2020, 2024
• 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2015, 2016
• 7-time All-Defensive Selection:
  • NBA All-Defensive First Team: 2015, 2016, 2017
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021
• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2012
• NBA steals leader: 2015
• NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021)

College

• Consensus second team All-American (2011)
• NABC All-American Third Team (2011)
• 2× First-team All-Mountain West (2010–2011)
• 2× All-Mountain West All-Tournament Team (2010–2011)
• All-Mountain West Defensive Team (2011)
• Mountain West tournament MVP (2010)
• Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2010)

High school

• California Mr. Basketball (2009)
• Martin Luther King Hall of Fame (class of 2018)

Personal Life

Kawhi Leonard is the youngest of five children. His father passed away in 2008. Kawhi played a game the next evening and was very emotional.

Kawhi is the cousin of American football player Stevie Johnson. Kawhi and his girlfriend have two children.

In 2018, Kawhi signed a deal with the sports brand New Balance. He had previously worked with the Air Jordan brand. In 2019, Kawhi filed a lawsuit against Nike, saying they copyrighted his "Klaw" logo without his permission.

After the death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash in 2020, Kawhi shared that he and Bryant had the same pilot, who also died in the crash.

Kawhi is known for being a very quiet person. He rarely gives interviews and keeps his private life to himself. He has also said that he doesn't follow the news or use social media much.

In May 2021, Kawhi went on Instagram Live for the first time. He announced that he would release a hip hop album called Culture Jam, which would combine hip-hop and basketball. The album is meant to help a charity created in memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

See also

• List of NBA career free throw percentage leaders
• List of NBA career playoff steals leaders
• List of NBA career playoff 3-point scoring leaders