Kawhi Leonard | Biography, Life, Height, Weight, Stats and Career

Kawhi Leonard is an American basketball player who plays as a small forward for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. He is in his 10th season and has won two NBA championships. He has been an All-Star five times and has made the All-NBA first team three times. His long wingspan, large hands, speed, athleticism, and intelligence make him one of the best defenders in the league. Fans call him “The Klaw” because of his great ability to steal the ball.

Personal Information

Early Life

Kawhi Leonard was born on June 29, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. He went to Canyon Springs High School before transferring to Martin Luther King High School, where he excelled in his junior and senior years, leading his team to a 30-3 record as a senior. In college, he played for San Diego State University, averaging 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a freshman. Under his leadership, the team won the Mountain West Conference tournament and made it to the NCAA tournament twice, reaching the Sweet 16 in his second year before losing to Connecticut. Leonard then declared for the 2011 NBA draft after being named to the Second Team All-America.

NBA Journey

Kawhi Leonard, known initially for his defense, was picked 15th in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers but was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on the same day. @Kawhi Leonard  quickly proved himself, making the NBA All-Rookie First Team and steadily improving his offense. Kawhi helped the Spurs win the 2014 NBA Championship and was named Finals MVP. After winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards and earning All-Star honors, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors, leading them to the 2019 NBA Championship and winning another Finals MVP. Kawhi then joined the LA Clippers, but injuries plagued his time there, including an ACL tear that sidelined him for an entire season. He returned in October 2022, scoring 11 points in a preseason game against the Trail Blazers.

Kawahi Leonard Rookie Year

Kawhi Leonard was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft but was traded that same night to the San Antonio Spurs for George Hill and the rights to Erazem Lorbek and Davis Bertans. He had a successful rookie season, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Leonard steadily improved his offensive skills and became a reliable spot-up shooter. His Spurs team reached the NBA Finals two seasons in a row, winning the title in 2014.

Kawhi leonard Championships

In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs won their sixth title by defeating the Miami Heat 4-1 in the NBA Finals, with Kawhi Leonard earning the Finals MVP for his stellar performance, averaging 23.7 points per game and shooting 68.5% from the field. In 2019, Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever championship, defeating the Golden State Warriors 4-2. His outstanding performance, averaging 28.5 points per game, earned him his second Finals MVP award.

Kawhi leonard MVP

Kawhi Leonard won his first Finals MVP in 2014 with the Spurs, earning the award partly for his defense against LeBron James, averaging 23.7 points per game with a 68.5% field goal percentage. He received his second Finals MVP in 2019 with the Raptors, thanks to his outstanding performance, averaging 28.5 points per game.

Kawhi leonard Net worth

Kawhi Leonard’s net worth in 2024 is around $160 million. He is one of the best NBA players, known for his strong defensive and offensive skills. Kawhi is the second-highest-paid player on the Clippers, after Paul George, and ranks eighth in the NBA for salary. His main income comes from playing basketball and brand endorsements.

Kawhi leonard Contract

Kawhi Leonard, a top NBA defender and small forward, has a $176 million, four-year contract with the LA Clippers, including a player option for the fourth year worth $48.7 million. In 2019, he first signed a $21 million contract with the Clippers. Later, he agreed to a three-year, $103 million contract, which had a $36 million player option for the third year. He declined this option in the summer of 2021 and then signed the current four-year deal.

Kawhi Leonard | Stats, Records and Achievements

Stats

Kawhi Leonard Records and Achievements

Kawhi leonard Family Information

Kawhi leonard Family

Kawhi was born in Los Angeles, California to Mark Leonard and Kim Robertson. He has four older sisters, making him the youngest in his family. He and his girlfriend, Kishele Shipley, have two kids. Kawhi is known for being quiet and private. He doesn’t talk much about his personal life and rarely does interviews.

Kawhi leonard Father

Kawhi was born to Mark Leonard and Kim Robertson in Los Angeles, California. On January 18, 2008, his father was shot and killed at the Compton car wash he ran. Despite this tragedy, Kawhi played in a game the next night and cried after losing. As of 2022, the killer has not been caught. Kawhi is also the cousin of Stevie Johnson, who plays wide receiver in American football.

Kawhi leonard Wife

Kawhi Leonard is a professional basketball player known for his defensive prowess and clutch performances in the NBA. He is married to Kishele Shipley, who works in the human resources field. Leonard, a two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, has played for teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Clippers. He is also known for his reserved personality and strong work ethic. Off the court, Kawhi maintains a low profile, focusing on his family and philanthropic efforts.

Kawhi leonard Daughter

@Leonard is considered one of the best players and perimeter defenders of his time. Despite keeping his personal life private, he has two children with his longtime partner, Kishele Shipley. Kawhi and Kishele met at San Diego State University, where he was starting to make a name for himself in basketball. It’s not clear if they are married. Their first child, Kaliyah, was born in 2016 when Kawhi was playing for the Spurs. They had their second child, a boy, in April 2019. Little is known about him, except that he was born in Canada.

Kawhi leonard Tattoos

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers enjoys expressing himself through various tattoos. On his right shoulder, he has the phrase “Fear God not them” and a tombstone with angel wings. He also has a cross, a cloudy basketball jersey with a halo on his right bicep, and a mermaid tattoo on his right arm.