I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as motivation going to a school that loved me. I wanted to put them on the map and show everyone that you don’t need to go to a top school to make it in the NBA. – Kawhi Leonard
Obviously, I like guys that can defend other positions. Draymond Green is doing a great job with Golden State. Jimmy Butler brings it every night when I’m out there. – Kawhi Leonard
Everybody in the NBA works on their game. I just tried to follow that lead when I was in high school, college – and now. – Kawhi Leonard
My dad leaving my life. That’s the biggest thing that happened to me. I just remember what he tells me, the memories, and try to move on forward each day, knowing that he’s still here, looking down on me. – Kawhi Leonard
The bigs are there on the help-side if the guy goes by me, and I’m able to switch to other offensive players. – Kawhi Leonard
I remember being a teenager and watching 40-year-old Michael Jordan compete in his final All-Star game. – Kawhi Leonard
I don’t watch ESPN, don’t listen to the radio. I just go home and deal with my family. – Kawhi Leonard
I can’t be impatient. It would show on the floor, and I won’t compete if I’m thinking about getting the ball. – Kawhi Leonard
It’s definitely fun when you’re able to translate your practice into the game. It’s fun, and you know that your hard work paid off. – Kawhi Leonard
You definitely see a difference in some guys’ games when they do get paid. I’m trying to make sure I’m not that player. – Kawhi Leonard
I’m trying to see what way I could lead so when the opportunity comes, it won’t just hit me in the face. – Kawhi Leonard
I’m just going out there to do my role, the same role – defense first – and then see how the ball turns out on the offensive end. – Kawhi Leonard
Coming in, I wanted to be a great player, and right now at the beginning of my career, I’m showing some slight sunshine that I can be the player I want. – Kawhi Leonard
I always wanted to play both ends of the floor. I never wanted to be one-dimensional. – Kawhi Leonard
It’s just the game itself that drives me. I just want to be able to compete at a high level. – Kawhi Leonard
It’s how I’ve been playing my whole life, guarding the best player on the other team. – Kawhi Leonard
There’s nothing to be scared of. We’re playing basketball. The only thing that could happen is you failing. But as long as you’re going hard, there’s nothing to be scared of for me. I don’t know what there is to be scared of. – Kawhi Leonard
I don’t eat the same meal or at the same time every single day. You get tired of that real quick. I just try to make sure whatever I’m eating is fresh and clean and good for my body. That’s about it. – Kawhi Leonard
People would ask what college are you going to, and I’d say, ‘San Diego State.’ And they’d say, ‘Why?’ – Kawhi Leonard
