Kawhi Leonard is 34 years old in November 2025, stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, weighs around 225-230 lbs, and has an estimated net worth of $120–160 million. He earns $50 million this season with the Clippers, is not married, and has been in a private long-term relationship with Kishele Shipley since 2014. Despite recurring injuries, “The Klaw” remains one of the most feared two-way players in basketball when healthy.
Early Life, Family Tragedy, and the Making of “The Klaw”
Kawhi Anthony Leonard was born on June 29, 1991, in Los Angeles and grew up in Riverside, California. The youngest of five children, he lost his father, Mark Leonard, to a shooting at his car wash in 2008 when Kawhi was only 16. That tragedy turned a naturally quiet teenager into the stoic, laser-focused superstar we know today.
His famous 11-inch hands and 7’3″ wingspan were already evident in high school, where he dominated Martin Luther King High and earned California Mr. Basketball honors. Even then, at roughly 6’7″ and 200–210 lbs, defenders had no answer for his strength and touch.
Height, Weight, and the Unique Physique That Changed the NBA
Listed at 6’7″ (2.01 m) and 225–230 lbs, Leonard combines elite length with rare lower-body power. Those gigantic hands let him palm the ball like a grapefruit, giving him unmatched control on fades, rips, and euro-steps.
In an era dominated by three-pointers, Leonard’s mid-range game (career 46–50% from 14–19 feet) forces defenses into impossible choices. His biomechanics—wide base, high release, soft touch—are why even at 34 he’s still nearly unguardable in the playoffs.
NBA Journey: From Spurs Role Player to Two-Time Champion
Drafted 15th in 2011 and traded to San Antonio on draft night, Leonard blossomed under Gregg Popovich. He won Finals MVP in 2014 at age 22, then forced his way to Toronto in 2018–19 and delivered the Raptors’ first title with another Finals MVP and the iconic Game 7 buzzer-beater against Philadelphia.
In 2019 he returned home to the Clippers on a 3-year, $149.5 million extension signed in 2024, with $50 million salary for the 2025–26 season. Career earnings have already topped $350 million, pushing his 2025 net worth to $120–160 million including New Balance, past Wingstop deals, and investments.
Injury History and the Load-Management Revolution
Since the 2017 quad injury and the controversial Zaza Pachulia play, Leonard has battled major setbacks: degenerative knee issues, an ACL tear in 2021, and recurring inflammation. In the 2024–25 season he missed the first 34 games, returned briefly, then sprained his ankle and foot again in November 2025—currently listed day-to-day.
Love it or hate it, Leonard pioneered load management. Data shows rested superstars reduce re-injury risk by up to 40% and shoot 3–5% better from three. When healthy in the 2021 playoffs before the ACL tear, he was averaging 30.4 points on 67% true shooting—proof that a fully fit Klaw is still championship-level.
Is Kawhi Leonard Married? Dating Life with Kishele Shipley
No, Kawhi Leonard is not married as of late 2025. He has been in a committed relationship with Kishele Shipley since meeting her at San Diego State around 2014. The couple keeps an extremely low profile—Shipley has zero public social media—and they have two children: daughter Kaliyah (born 2016) and a son (born 2019).
In a league full of influencer relationships, Leonard and Shipley’s privacy is refreshing. He once said, “Family is everything to me,” and he famously missed a game in 2019 for his son’s birth.
Kawhi Leonard Biography at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kawhi Anthony Leonard |
| Date of Birth | June 29, 1991 |
| Age (Nov 2025) | 34 years old |
| Height | 6’7″ (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 225–230 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7’3″ |
| Position | Small Forward |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Clippers |
| NBA Championships | 2 (2014, 2019) |
| Finals MVPs | 2 |
| Defensive Player of the Year | 2 (2015, 2016) |
| All-Star Selections | 6 |
| 2025–26 Salary | $50 million |
| Net Worth 2025 | $120–160 million |
| Relationship Status | Dating Kishele Shipley since 2014 |
| Married | No |
| Children | 2 (Kaliyah & son) |
| College | San Diego State |
| Nickname | The Klaw, The Terminator |
| Shoe Deal | New Balance (multi-year, $5M+ annually) |
Why Kawhi at 34 Is Still a Nightmare for Opponents
When healthy, Leonard is a walking mismatch: elite mid-range scoring, suffocating defense, and the coldest clutch gene in the league. His 2019 playoff run—732 points, third-most ever in a single postseason—showed he can single-handedly drag teams to titles.
In 2025, even coming off injuries, a fully fit Kawhi Leonard remains the player contenders fear most in a seven-game series.
Further reading:
Kawhi Leonard on Wikipedia •
Official NBA Profile •
Basketball Reference Stats
