LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard to have number retired at San Diego State
By Ethan Smith
The LA Clippers Kawhi Leonard has earned the honor of having his jersey retired at San Diego State University on February 1.
LA Clippers’ forward Kawhi Leonard has had a storied NBA career so far, having put two championship rings on his hand along with numerous all-defensive team honors and epic playoff moments that every NBA fan can appreciate.
Leonard, who played his collegiate basketball at San Diego State University and wore number 15, will become the first Aztec in school history to have their number retired for collegiate basketball.
The Claw had some solid averages over his 70-game career with San Diego State, posting 14.1 points, 10.2 rebound and 2.2 assists per game while shooting an efficient 44 percent from the field in his two seasons with the Aztecs.
The announcement was made official by San Diego State’s basketball Twitter account on Wednesday.
Cementing his legacy.
— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) January 16, 2020
Release: https://t.co/hR3x4aFKtf#AztecForLife pic.twitter.com/lRpJKkDEVU
Leonard’s impressive play helped lead the Aztecs to become Mountain West Conference Champions in 2009 and 2010 and helped the Aztecs reach the Sweet 16 in 2010 for the first time in school history.
Due to his impressive play at San Diego State, Leonard was drafted at number 15 by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA Draft before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in what became one of the more lopsided trades in NBA Draft history.
His rankings among the leaders in San Diego State history are not indicative of his play as an Aztec seeing as he only played for two seasons while most leaders in school history played all four seasons. Leonard still ranks 5th all-time in rebounds while also breaking the record for most rebounds in a season in school history with 380.
Leonard’s best game as an Aztec came on March 13, 2010 when he posted 16 points and 21 rebounds against UNLV in the MWC Championship game, which sealed a tournament spot for San Diego State that season due to their impressive 25-8 record.
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Kawhi Leonard’s achievements continue to pile up and this is yet another well-deserved one for the LA Clippers forward. San Diego State hosts Utah State at Viejas Arena on February 1 and his jersey number will be retired at halftime of the game. Worth noting, the Clippers host the Timberwolves earlier in the day.