Kawhi Leonard Story: After his parents divorced when he was five years old, Kawhi Leonard relocated to Moreno Valley, California, to live with his mother. In his teenage years, Leonard frequently spent weekends and summers with his father, helping him run the Compton, California, carwash he owned.
At first, Kawhi Leonard went to Moreno Valley’s Canyon Springs High School. Leonard’s mother couldn’t drive him because she had to work during his freshman year, so he missed the basketball tryouts. He never played for them that year since the team’s coach at the school wouldn’t allow him to join.
Kawhi Leonard chose to play football at Canyon Springs during his first year. Being a large man who stood 6’3″ and weighed around 300 pounds, Leonard’s father participated in football in high school as well. Kawhi Leonard ultimately made the decision to give up football after his freshman year and concentrate primarily on basketball. Yet, his father was devastated by his choice. Yet he continued to support Leonard and even assisted with his training.
Kawhi Leonard switched to Riverside, California’s Martin Luther King High School, for his junior year. Leonard, however, received the devastating news that would alter his life forever on January 8, 2008. In the Compton car wash his father ran, he was shot and died. The killer was never identified, and the cause of the crime is still a mystery.
Leonard played the following night at the Pauley Pavilion against Dominguez Hills despite the terrible news. Dennis Robertson, Leonard’s uncle, started to act as a “father figure” to him and play a significant role in his life from that point on.
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Kawhi Leonard Averaged 22.6 Points, 13.1 Rebounds, and 3.9 Assists During His Senior Year at King High
Leonard averaged 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during his senior year at King High. He contributed to the team’s 30-3 record and state title. Mr. Basketball for California was finally awarded to Leonard. Kawhi Leonard didn’t obtain many scholarships since he was passed over by numerous big conference programs. One of the first universities to offer him a scholarship was San Diego State University. He consequently made the choice to enrol at SDSU during his final year.
Kawhi Leonard used to leave his house to work out before classes in college around five in the morning. Leonard guided SDSU to a 34-3 record and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament during his sophomore year there. They were defeated by the University of Connecticut Huskies, who went on to win the national championship.
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After nine years, Leonard has established himself as one of the NBA’s top basketball players. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 15 overall choice in 2011, but was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs for George Hill. Kawhi developed into a world-class superstar there before spending one season with the Toronto Raptors. He has already won two championships and been named Finals MVP twice.
Kawhi Leonard is now performing in his hometown of Los Angeles, California, where he was born. Now he may play in front of all his family and friends. With the Los Angeles Clippers having advanced to the second round after destroying the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 on Sunday, Leonard is vying for his third championship.
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