Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kawhi Leonard

Discover the career path of Kawhi Leonard, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kawhi Leonard is a highly decorated American professional basketball player currently with the Los Angeles Clippers. Known as "The Klaw" for his defensive prowess and large hands, he's widely considered one of the best two-way players ever. Leonard boasts two NBA championships and Finals MVP awards, seven All-Star selections, six All-NBA Team selections, and seven All-Defensive Team selections. He won Defensive Player of the Year twice (2015, 2016). In 2021, Leonard was honored as one of the NBA's 75 greatest players.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2009: Freshman Year at San Diego State University

In 2009, Kawhi Leonard began his freshman year at San Diego State University.

2010: MWC Tournament MVP

In 2010, Kawhi Leonard was named MWC Tournament MVP while at San Diego State University.

December 10, 2011: Signed Multi-Year Deal with Spurs

On December 10, 2011, following the NBA lockout, Kawhi Leonard signed a multi-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, officially joining the team. He chose to wear the jersey number 2.

2011: Entered NBA Draft

In 2011, Kawhi Leonard entered the NBA draft after foregoing his final two seasons of college eligibility. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th overall pick and then traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night.

2011: NBA Scouts' Assessment

In 2011, NBA scouts recognized Kawhi Leonard's strong work ethic and physical attributes, describing him as a "physical marvel" with a significant wingspan. However, they found him "difficult to pin down" in terms of his overall capabilities.

October 26, 2012: Spurs Exercised Team Option

On October 26, 2012, the Spurs exercised the team option on Kawhi Leonard, re-signing him through the 2013-14 season.

2012: Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team

At the end of the 2012 season, Kawhi Leonard was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after placing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, recognizing his impressive debut in the league.

2012: Rising Stars Challenge Selection

In 2012, Kawhi Leonard was selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge as part of Team Chuck, however, he did not play due to a calf strain.

2012: Selected for USA Men's Basketball Select Team

In the summer of 2012, Kawhi Leonard was chosen to play for the 2012 USA men's basketball Select Team, where he trained with Olympic team members.

2013: Re-signed through 2013-14 season

Kawhi Leonard was re-signed by the Spurs through the 2013-14 season.

April 6, 2014: Season-High 26 Points vs Grizzlies

On April 6, 2014, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 26 points in the Spurs' 112-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, contributing to their successful season.

June 10, 2014: Career-High 29 Points in Game 3 of NBA Finals

On June 10, 2014, in game 3 of the NBA Finals, Kawhi Leonard scored a then career-high 29 points in a 111-92 victory against the Miami Heat.

November 10, 2014: Season-High 26 Points Against Clippers

On November 10, 2014, despite suffering from blurry vision due to conjunctivitis, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 26 points in the Spurs' 89-85 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

2014: NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2014, Kawhi Leonard won an NBA championship with the Spurs and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player, marking a significant milestone in his career.

January 16, 2015: Return from Injury, 20 Points vs Trail Blazers

On January 16, 2015, after missing 15 games due to a hand injury, Kawhi Leonard returned to action, scoring 20 points to lead the Spurs to a 110-96 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

July 16, 2015: Re-signed with the Spurs

On July 16, 2015, Kawhi Leonard re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs to a five-year, $90 million contract.

2015: Defensive Player of the Year

In 2015, Kawhi Leonard was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year, marking a significant milestone in his NBA career.

January 21, 2016: Named All-Star Starter

On January 21, 2016, Kawhi Leonard was named as a starter to the Western Conference team for the 2016 All-Star Game, earning his first All-Star selection.

March 23, 2016: 32-Point Outing vs Miami Heat

On March 23, 2016, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points in a 112-88 win over the Miami Heat, extending the Spurs' franchise-record home winning streak.

October 25, 2016: Career-High 35 Points Against Warriors

On October 25, 2016, in the Spurs' season opener, Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 35 points and had five steals in a 129-100 win over the Golden State Warriors.

2016: Second Consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 2016, Kawhi Leonard won his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier defenders.

January 14, 2017: New Career High of 38 points vs Suns

On January 14, 2017, Kawhi Leonard set a new career high with 38 points in a 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first Spur to record three consecutive 30-point games since Tony Parker in 2012.

February 13, 2017: 32 Points vs Pacers, 20th Consecutive Winning Season

On February 13, 2017, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points in a 110-106 win over the Indiana Pacers. The Spurs extended their streak of consecutive winning seasons to a league-record 20.

April 15, 2017: Postseason High of 32 Points vs Grizzlies

On April 15, 2017, Kawhi Leonard matched his postseason high with 32 points in a 111-82 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

December 12, 2017: Season Debut After Injury

On December 12, 2017, Kawhi Leonard made his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the first 27 games due to a right quadriceps injury.

2018: Quadriceps Injury Rehabilitation

In 2018, after being cleared to play by the Spurs medical staff, Kawhi Leonard sought a second opinion from his own doctors and did not play again that year as he continued rehabilitation.

2018: Traded to Toronto Raptors

In 2018, after playing seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors, leading to a new chapter in his NBA journey.

January 1, 2019: Scored Career-High 45 points against Utah Jazz

On January 1, 2019, Kawhi Leonard scored a then career-high 45 points in a 122–116 win over the Utah Jazz.

July 10, 2019: Signed with the Los Angeles Clippers

On July 10, 2019, Kawhi Leonard signed with his hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers, on a reported three-year, $103 million contract, which included an opt-out clause in 2021.

July 2019: Signed with Los Angeles Clippers

In July 2019, Kawhi Leonard moved to his hometown of Los Angeles and signed with the Clippers as a free agent, joining a new team in his career.

October 22, 2019: Debut for the Clippers

On October 22, 2019, Kawhi Leonard debuted for the Los Angeles Clippers, putting up 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 112–102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

January 14, 2020: Scored Season-High 43 points

On January 14, 2020, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 43 points in just 29 minutes in a 128–103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

December 22, 2020: Recorded 26 points in season opener

On December 22, 2020, Kawhi Leonard recorded 26 points and two steals in the Clippers' season opener, a 116–109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

May 3, 2021: Announcement of Hip Hop Album 'Culture Jam'

On May 3, 2021, Kawhi Leonard announced on Instagram Live that he would release a hip hop album called "Culture Jam" later in the year, describing it as "merging hip-hop and basketball together." He also shared a snippet of a track titled "Everything Different" featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Rod Wave.

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August 12, 2021: Re-signed with Clippers

On August 12, 2021, Kawhi Leonard re-signed with the Clippers on a max four-year, $176.3 million contract.

October 3, 2022: Return from Injury

On October 3, 2022, Kawhi Leonard made his return from injury, putting up 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 102–97 preseason win over the Trail Blazers.

January 10, 2023: Scored 33 points against the Dallas Mavericks

On January 10, 2023, Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points on 9-of-12 shooting, along with nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 113–101 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

December 8, 2023: Scored Season-High 41 points against Utah Jazz

On December 8, 2023, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 41 points, along with five rebounds and five assists in a 117–113 win over the Utah Jazz.

January 10, 2024: Signed extension with the Clippers

On January 10, 2024, Kawhi Leonard signed an extension with the Clippers for $153 million over the next three years.

July 10, 2024: Withdrawal from Olympic Roster

On July 10, 2024, Kawhi Leonard withdrew from the 2024 United States men's Olympic basketball team roster after consultations with the Clippers and USA Basketball officials. He was replaced by Derrick White of the Boston Celtics.

October 17, 2024: Ruled Out Indefinitely

On October 17, 2024, it was announced that Kawhi Leonard would be ruled out indefinitely to begin the new season due to inflammation in his right knee.

January 4, 2025: Season Debut

On January 4, 2025, Kawhi Leonard made his season debut after missing the first 34 games, scoring 12 points in a 131–105 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

October 31, 2025: Game-Winning Shot Against Pelicans

On October 31, 2025, Kawhi Leonard recorded 34 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals, hitting a game-winning 22-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining as the Clippers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 126–124.

January 1, 2026: 45 Points Against Jazz

On January 1, 2026, Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, leading the Clippers to a 118–101 win over the Utah Jazz, becoming only the second player in NBA history to record a five-game span averaging at least 40 points per game while shooting 50/40/90 and maintaining an undefeated record.