The Lion's Den: Kawhi Leonard on jersey retirement: 'It's a dream come true'

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Kawhi Leonard on jersey retirement: 'It's a dream come true'

SAN DIEGO -- Steve Fisher put his arm around Kawhi Leonard's shoulder and asked him to look around at a packed Viejas Arena, where 12,414 fans were standing.

"This is your legacy my friend," the former San Diego State coach told his most prized Aztecs recruit.

Returning to the place where he won two conference titles, reached a Sweet 16, worked his way into becoming an NBA lottery pick and even learned how to surf, Leonard watched his No. 15 become the first jersey in program history to be retired by San Diego State on Saturday night.

Typically a man of few words, Leonard let the fans know about the hopes and dreams he carried with him to campus as a lightly recruited prospect from Moreno Valley, California.

"It's a dream come true," Leonard said at halftime before the fourth-ranked Aztecs put away Utah State in an 80-68 win. "Just coming here, I wanted to make a name for myself. I wanted to put San Diego State on the map.

"I want to thank the coaching staff, Coach Fisher for recruiting me -- recruiting me hard -- just wanting me to come to the school."

Kawhi Anthony Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. He played two seasons of college basketball for the San Diego State Aztecs and was named a consensus second-team All-American as a sophomore. Wikipedia

Born: June 29, 1991 (age 28 years), Los Angeles, CA

6-29-1991=35,126,145,37,55...

Height: 6′ 7″

Current team: Los Angeles Clippers (#2 / Small forward, Shooting guard)

NBA draft: 2011 (Round: 1 / Pick: 15)

Partner: Kishele Shipley (2014–)

Education: San Diego State University, Martin Luther King High School