Kawhi Leonard

American basketball player known for elite two-way play, winning NBA championships and Finals MVP with San Antonio Spurs (2014) and Toronto Raptors (2019).

Kawhi Anthony Leonard was born in Los Angeles in 1991 and was drafted 15th overall by Indiana in 2011 — immediately traded to San Antonio. He played for the Spurs (2011–18), Toronto Raptors (2018–19) and Los Angeles Clippers (2019–present). He has scored 15,000+ career points at 21.9 per game with 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists across 700+ games. He won 2 championships — his first with San Antonio in 2014 (Finals MVP), his second with Toronto in 2019 (Finals MVP) — becoming only the 5th player in NBA history to win Finals MVP with two different franchises. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and his combination of elite defence and elite offence places him in an extremely small group of players who have dominated both ends simultaneously. His top speed of 40.1 km/h and his large hands — among the biggest ever measured for an NBA guard — give him physical tools that make him unique at his position. He won Olympic gold in 2012. His buzzer-beater against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs — bouncing four times on the rim before falling in — is the most celebrated shot in recent playoff history. He missed significant time through load management and injury in multiple seasons.

Elite two-way wing with lockdown defense and efficient scoring

Two-time Finals MVP who delivered championships to different franchises

• NBA Champion 2014 (San Antonio), 2019 (Toronto)
• Finals MVP 2014, 2019
• Defensive Player of Year 2015, 2016
• All-Star 5x
• All-NBA First Team 3x
• All-Defensive First Team 5x
• Olympic Gold 2012