Kawhi Leonard is an American professional basketball player who was named NBA Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and the Toronto Raptors in 2019. He has earned the nickname “The Claw” (or “Klaw”) due to his ability to steal the ball and his exceptionally large hands. He was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA draft.
Leonard is often considered one of the greatest “two-way” players in NBA history; he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2015 and 2016. He was named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2019.
Kawhi Leonard Biography
| Real Name | Kawhi Anthony Leonard |
| Nickname | Kawhi Leonard |
| Profession | Professional basketball player |
| Date of Birth | 29 June 1991 |
| Age | 35 years old (As of September) |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Los Angeles California, USA |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christian |
| @kawhisklawest |
Early Life
Kawhi Leonard was born on June 29, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, USA, and his zodiac sign is Cancer. He attended Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, California, and later transferred to Martin Luther King High School for his junior year.
Kawhi Leonard attended San Diego State University, where he played under the guidance of coach Steve Fisher. He played two seasons of college basketball for the San Diego State Aztecs and was named a consensus ‘Second-Team All-American’ during his sophomore year.
Kawhi Leonard Relationships And More
Kawhi Leonard has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Kishele Shipley, since 2014. In 2016, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kaliyah Leonard. In 2019, the couple announced the arrival of their second child, though they did not reveal the child’s name.
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Kishele Shipley (since 2014) |
| Spouse/Wife | N/A |
| Children | Son – one Daughter – Kaliyah |
Kawhi Leonard Family
Kawhi Leonard was born to parents Mark Leonard and Kim Leonard. On January 18, 2008, his father was shot and killed in Compton. He has four older sisters, two of whom are named Miesha Slaton and Kimesha Monay Williams. One of his cousins is the American football player Stevie Johnson.
| Father’s Name | Mark Leonard |
| Mother’s Name | Kim Leonard |
| Brother’s Name | Not known |
| Sister’s Name | Not known |
Career
Kawhi Leonard attended Canyon Springs High School, where he averaged 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3 blocks per game. Rivals.com rated him a ‘four-star recruit,’ and he decided to play college basketball at San Diego State University. During his sophomore season, Leonard averaged 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
He was selected by the Indiana Pacers as the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft but was traded to the San Antonio Spurs that same night. In the summer of 2012, Leonard was among several rising NBA players selected for the 2012 USA Men’s Basketball Select Team.
In 2014, he won the NBA Championship and was named the ‘Finals Most Valuable Player.’ In 2018, after seven seasons, Leonard signed with the Toronto Raptors. In July 2019, he returned to his hometown of Los Angeles and signed with the Clippers as a ‘free agent.’
Kawhi Leonard Awards/Highlighs
- NBA Champion – 2014, 2019
- NBA Finals MVP – 2014, 2019
- NBA All-Star – 2016, 2017, 2019-2021, 2024, 2026
- NBA All-Star Game MVP – 2020
- All-NBA First Team – 2016, 2017, 2021
- All-NBA Second Team – 2019, 2020, 2024, 2026
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year – 2015, 2016
- NBA All-Defensive First Team – 2015, 2017
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team – 2014, 2019-2021
- NBA All-Rookie First Team – 2012
- NBA steals leader – 2015
- Frist-team All-MWC – 2010, 2011
- California Mr. Basketball – 2009
Kawhi Leonard Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters –201 cm In meters – 2.01 m In feet & inches – 6’7” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 102 kg In pounds – 225 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
Kawhi Leonard Pay Scandal (2026)
Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers have become embroiled in one of the biggest scandals in NBA history regarding salary cap violations. The Clippers have been ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine, in addition to being placed under a five-year NBA compliance and monitoring program. Leonard himself has been fined $700,000, while his uncle and former business manager, Dennis “Uncle Dennis” Robertson, has been banned from conducting business with NBA teams.
Kawhi Leonard Net Worth
American basketball player Kawhi Leonard has an estimated net worth between $120 million to $160 million, as of September 2026.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $120 Million to $160 million (as of September) |
| Annual Income (approx) | Update soon |
| Salary (approx) | $50 million (annual) |
| Contract | $149,505,800 (with La Clippers) |
| Income Sources | NBA contract, endorsement deals, etc. |
Some Lesser Facts About Kawhi Leonard
- Kawhi Leonard was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- He attended Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, California.
- During his junior year, he transferred to Martin Luther King High School.
- There, in his senior year, he and Tony Snell helped the King High Wolves achieve a 20–3 record.
- Rivals.com rated him a four-star recruit and listed him as the number 8 small forward in the 2009 recruiting rankings.
- He was named California’s ‘Mr. Basketball’ during his senior year at Martin Luther King High School.
- He was selected for his first NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
- He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
- Kawhi Leonard was teammates with Tim Duncan on the Spurs from 2011 to 2016.
- Beyond his basketball skills, Kawhi is also a talented musician and plays the piano in his spare time.
- He is known for his unique laugh, which has become a source of amusement for both fans and teammates.
- Kawhi Leonard is a huge fan of the popular TV show “Game of Thrones.”
- He loves classic cars and owns an impressive collection, enjoying the process of restoring or modifying them in his free time.
- Before being drafted, he was twice named to the ‘All-Mountain West First Team’ while playing for San Diego State.
- When he was 16, his father was murdered at his car wash business in Compton.
FAQ:
How old is Kawhi Leonard?
Kawhi Leonard is 35 years old, as of September 2026.
Who is Kawhi Leonard’s girlfriend?
Kawhi Leonard has been in a relationship with Kishele Shipley since 2014.
What is Kawhi Leonard’s net worth?
As of September 2026, Kawhi Leonard’s net worth is $120 million and $160 million.
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