Kawhi Leonard family: Exploring the tumultuous personal life of the NBA champion
Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in the league today. He's a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and five-time All-Star. Leonard also has five All-NBA selections and three All-Defensive selections.
Kawhi Leonard was always destined for greatness. Growing up in sunny Los Angeles, Leonard dominated the basketball court as a kid. He was once named California Mr. Basketball in high school and was a four-star recruit entering college. But who exactly is responsible for his rise?
Kawhi Leonard was born in Los Angeles, California, on June 29, 1991. His parents are Mark Leonard and Kim Robertson, and he has four older sisters. The famous basketball player is romantically involved with Kishele Shipley, and they welcomed their first child in July 2016. However, things have not always been rosy for Leonard.
In 2008, three years before Kawhi was drafted into the NBA, his father was murdered in a carwash. The culprit was not found. His dad was never able to see his son graduate from high school and transition to college basketball.
Leonard's sister, Kimesha Williams, was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month after being found guilty of murdering an elderly woman at a casino.
Kawhi Leonard's life before the NBA
During his first year at San Diego State University in the 2009-10 season, Kawhi Leonard averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Aztecs. His performance helped the team post a remarkable 25-9 record and secure the Mountain West Conference (MWC) title.
Consequently, the Aztecs earned an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. They lost in the opening round to Tennessee by a narrow margin of 62-59.
Despite the loss, Leonard managed to record 12 points and 10 rebounds. He topped the MWC in rebounding and received recognition as MWC Freshman of the Year, as well as First Team All-MWC. Furthermore, he earned the 2010 MWC tournament MVP award for his outstanding performances.