Kawhi Leonard
The two-time Finals MVP who brought a championship to Toronto and returned to his hometown of Los Angeles.
Kawhi Anthony Leonard (born June 29, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP, he is a seven-time All-Star and seven-time member of the All-NBA Team (including three first-team selections). Nicknamed the "Claw" or "Klaw" for his ball-hawking skills and exceptionally large hands, Leonard is often regarded as one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history, earning seven All-Defensive Team selections and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016. In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
- Role
- Two-way Small Forward
- Affiliation
- Los Angeles Clippers (2019–Present)
- Individual Honor
- 2x NBA Finals MVP
- Defensive Record
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Status
- Active Legend
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Leonard's path to the Clippers began after he led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019, winning his second Finals MVP award. He subsequently moved to his hometown of Los Angeles and signed with the Clippers as a free agent in July 2019. With the Spurs, Leonard won an NBA championship in 2014 and was named Finals MVP. He was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA draft before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night. Leonard played two seasons of college basketball for San Diego State, where he led the Aztecs to a 34–3 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in his sophomore year. He was named California Mr. Basketball in high school after averaging 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3 blocks per game.
In Their Own Story
In 2019, Leonard led the Raptors to their first NBA championship and won his second Finals MVP award, becoming one of only three players to win Finals MVP with multiple teams, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James. He was awarded Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2019. Earlier, with the Spurs, he won an NBA championship in 2014 and was named Finals MVP, joining Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win both NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP. Leonard won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016, becoming the first non-center to win the honor in back-to-back seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989–90 and 1990–91.
Reader's Guide
Kawhi Leonard was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA draft before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night. He played two seasons of college basketball for San Diego State, where he averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds as a freshman and 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds as a sophomore. He led the Aztecs to a 34–3 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in his sophomore year. Leonard was named California Mr. Basketball in high school after leading Martin Luther King High School to a 30–3 record. He signed with the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent in July 2019 after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019.
Did You Know?
- Leonard is one of only three players in NBA history to win Finals MVP with multiple teams, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
- He joined Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win both NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP.
- Leonard was the first non-center to win Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989–90 and 1990–91.
- He was named California Mr. Basketball in high school after averaging 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3 blocks per game.
- San Diego State retired Leonard's number 15 on February 1, 2020, making him the first Aztecs men's basketball player to have his jersey raised to the rafters.
The Two-Way Dominance and Defensive Legacy
Kawhi Leonard is often regarded as one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history, earning seven All-Defensive Team selections and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016. He became the first non-center to win the honor in back-to-back seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989–90 and 1990–91. Nicknamed the "Claw" or "Klaw" for his ball-hawking skills and exceptionally large hands, Leonard's physical attributes were noted by NBA scouts in 2011: he was described as a "physical marvel, 6'7" with a 7'3" wingspan and 11-inch hands, too strong to screen and too long to elude." He joined Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win both NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP. In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Championships Across Franchises
Leonard won an NBA championship in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs and was named Finals MVP. He was the third-youngest winner of the award (22 years and 351 days), behind only Magic Johnson. In 2019, he led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship and won his second Finals MVP award, becoming one of only three players to win Finals MVP with multiple teams, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James. He was awarded Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2019. Leonard subsequently moved to his hometown of Los Angeles and signed with the Clippers as a free agent in July 2019.
From High School Star to College Legend
Leonard attended Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, California, before transferring to Martin Luther King High School for his junior year. In his senior year, he and Tony Snell led the King High Wolves to a 30–3 record. Leonard averaged 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3 blocks per game that year and was named California Mr. Basketball. Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was listed as the No. 8 small forward and the No. 48 player nationwide in 2009. At San Diego State, as a freshman he averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, led the Aztecs to a 25–9 record and the Mountain West Conference tournament title, and was named MWC Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds as the Aztecs finished with a 34–3 record and advanced to the Sweet 16. On February 1, 2020, San Diego State retired Leonard's number 15, making him the first Aztecs men's basketball player to have his jersey raised to the rafters.
The Evolution from Prospect to Superstar
According to Sports Illustrated, NBA scouts were aware in 2011 that Leonard had a strong work ethic and was a "physical marvel." Nevertheless, they found him "difficult to pin down." Sporting News asserted that Leonard was known more for his defense and rebounding than for his offensive capabilities when he first entered the league. He was compared to Metta World Peace and Gerald Wallace, and his outside shooting (or lack thereof) was a concern. Drafted 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2011, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night. He placed fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the 2012 NBA All-Rookie First Team. By 2014, he had developed into a Finals MVP, scoring a then career-high 29 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. He finished runner-up in the MVP voting behind Stephen Curry in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kawhi Leonard?
Kawhi Leonard is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and one of the most dominant two-way players in history who joined the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. He transformed the franchise from decades of struggle into immediate championship contention as their first true superstar.
What role does Kawhi Leonard play for the team?
Operating primarily as a small forward, he uniquely anchors elite defense while simultaneously carrying the offense. His ability to excel on both ends earned him an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and defined his status as a silent assassin.
How did Kawhi Leonard's tenure with the Clippers conclude?
His story reached its ultimate peak when he led the team to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2024. This victory finally brought a championship banner to Los Angeles, ending years of heartbreak for the franchise.
Why is Kawhi Leonard considered important to the Clippers' history?
He instantly shifted the team's identity by becoming the first player capable of single-handedly elevating them to title contenders. His arrival marked a pivotal turning point that replaced a legacy of losing with genuine championship success.
What are Kawhi Leonard's major achievements with Los Angeles?
During his time in LA, he secured an NBA Championship and cemented his legacy as an active legend for the organization. These accomplishments stand alongside his two Finals MVP awards as proof of his elite impact on the court.