Biography
Kawhi Leonard started his rise to basketball stardom in his final year at high school. Having moved to Martin Luther King High School, he won the California Mr. Basketball award for the best high school player in the state. Previous winners include Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce, Tayshaun Prince and Jrue Holiday.
The Los Angeles native played his college basketball at the San Diego State Aztecs. In his freshman year, the Aztecs won the Mountain West Conference to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. They made the Sweet 16 in his sophomore year, going out to eventual winners Connecticut, with Leonard named to the Second All-America Team.
Having decided to forgo his remaining college eligibility, Leonard declared for 2011 NBA Draft. The Indiana Pacers picked him 15th overall but he was immediately traded to the San Antonio Spurs. Under veteran head coach Gregg Popovich, the forward became a starter when Richard Jefferson left for the Golden State Warriors, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
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