Kawhi Leonard: From San Diego State Standout to NBA Superstar

Kawhi Anthony Leonard, born on June 29, 1991, is an American professional basketball player known for his exceptional two-way abilities. Before becoming a two-time NBA champion and a perennial All-Star, Leonard honed his skills at San Diego State University (SDSU). His college career, much like his reserved personality, didn't garner excessive attention, but it laid the groundwork for his future success in the NBA.

High School Career

Before arriving at San Diego State, Leonard played high school basketball at Canyon Springs High School before transferring to Martin Luther King High School for his junior year. In his senior year, he averaged 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3 blocks, leading King High to a 30-3 record. He was named California Mr. Basketball. Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Leonard was listed as the No. 8 small forward and the No. 76 player in the recruiting rankings of 2009.

Arrival at San Diego State

Leonard's transition from high school to college basketball at San Diego State University mirrored his understated approach to the game. He joined the Aztecs in the 2009-10 season and made an immediate impact. The 6-foot-7 forward spent two seasons with the school before declaring for the NBA Draft.

Impactful Freshman Season (2009-2010)

In his freshman season, Leonard played a crucial role in helping San Diego State end a three-year drought from the NCAA tournament. Prior to his arrival, the Aztecs had only made two appearances in the tournament in the previous 24 years. Leonard averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He helped the team achieve a 25-9 record and led them to win the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament title. His outstanding performance earned him the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year award. He also earned first-team all-conference honors, making him the only freshman in MWC history to achieve this recognition.

Leonard showcased his dominance on the boards, finishing with 17 double-doubles, setting a freshman school record previously held by Michael Cage. His rebounding prowess extended to conference play, where he set the MWC record for double-doubles in conference games with 12.

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Some notable games from his freshman year include:

23 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists vs. CS Fullerton
25 points and 12 rebounds at Wyoming
16 points and 21 rebounds in the MWC title game against UNLV

Sophomore Surge (2010-2011)

Leonard's sophomore season was even more impressive. He increased his averages to 15.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He also earned First-Team All-MWC honors along with a consensus Second-Team All-American nod. Leonard led the Aztecs to their second consecutive conference title. The team finished the year with a 34-3 record and reached as high as No. 4 in the nation. San Diego State received a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to the eventual champion, Connecticut Huskies.

Leonard continued to be a double-double machine, tying Andrew Bogut for the most career double-doubles in MWC history with 40. He also set the MWC all-time mark for career double-doubles in MWC games (21) and double-doubles in a single season in MWC games (12).

Some standout games from his sophomore year include:

21 points and 12 rebounds at Long Beach State
23 points and 14 rebounds vs. San Francisco
22 points and 15 rebounds at No. 9 BYU
21 points and 10 rebounds against Northern Colorado in the NCAA Tournament

NCAA Tournament Impact

Leonard played a key role in the team snapping a three-year NCAA tournament drought. San Diego State received a No. 11 seed in the tournament but suffered a narrow 62-59 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round. His most notable postseason win came against the Temple Owls in the Round of 32, when he scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a career-high 46 minutes.

Although the Aztecs earned another Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2014, Leonard led the team to its first ever in 2011.

Accolades and Recognition

Leonard's outstanding performance at San Diego State earned him numerous accolades, including:

Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year (2010)
MWC tournament MVP (2010)
Two-time First-Team All-MWC selection (2010, 2011)
Second-Team All-American (2011)
Selection to the Wooden Award All-America Team (2011)
State Farm Coaches' Division I Third-Team All-American (2011)
All-MWC tournament team (2011)
All-MWC defensive team (2011)
NABC All-District 17 team (2010, 2011)
USBWA All-District IX team (2011)

He was also a candidate for the Naismith Award and the Wooden Award in 2011.

Drafted into the NBA

NBA scouts recognized Leonard's potential. He was described as a "physical marvel" with a strong work ethic. Leonard was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers, but was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night.

Leonard’s draft class featured the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson and highly-touted prospects such as Derrick Williams and Jimmer Fredette, who were all drafted ahead of Leonard. Among the other noteworthy names selected before Leonard, we saw Enes Kanter (No. 3), Tristan Thompson (4), Jonas Valanciunas (5), and both Markieff (13) and Marcus Morris (14) picked.

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Leonard's Legacy at SDSU

Kawhi Leonard's impact on the San Diego State basketball program is undeniable. He helped elevate the team to new heights, leading them to consecutive conference titles and an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance. His individual accolades and dominant performances solidified his place as one of the greatest players in SDSU history.

On February 1, 2020, San Diego State retired Leonard's No. 15 jersey, making him the first men's basketball player in school history to receive this honor.

A Glimpse of "The Claw"

Kawhi Leonard is known for his even-keeled demeanor on the court but he flashed a boisterous side in college - especially when he faced conference rival and BYU guard Jimmer Fredette. In January of 2011, the 6-foot-2 Fredette dropped 43 points on SDSU in a Cougars win. The Aztecs got their revenge with a 72-54 victory two months later, and after the game, Leonard provided a moment that may seem hard to believe.

From College Standout to NBA Superstar

Despite his accomplished NCAA basketball tenure, Leonard isn’t remembered as a flashy college athlete. Leonard’s jump from college basketball to the NBA was a lot like his personality. It didn’t draw a ton of attention and after his name was called with the No. 15 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Leonard just went to work. While watching him play in the NBA Finals, remember that he’s always been the guy who simply gets the job done.

Leonard's college career at San Diego State provided a glimpse of the player he would become in the NBA. His dedication, work ethic, and exceptional talent were evident from the start. He established himself as a dominant force on both ends of the court, leading the Aztecs to unprecedented success.

NBA Career Highlights

Two-time NBA Champion (2014, 2019)
Two-time NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019)
Six-time NBA All-Star
Six-time All-NBA Team selection
Two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
Seven-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection

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