Basketball MVP Kawhi Leonard Invests in Moreno Valley by Kayla Sheldon - City News Group, Inc.

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Basketball MVP Kawhi Leonard Invests in Moreno Valley

By Kayla Sheldon, Community Writer
August 20, 2014 at 08:21am. Views: 49

On August 9 Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs guard and NBA Finals MVP, held a basketball camp at the Moreno Valley Recreation Center. Leonard grew up in Moreno Valley even though he graduated from Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, in 2009. After high school, Leonard went on to play basketball at San Diego State University. It was only after his sophomore year in college when he entered the 2011 NBA Draft and ended up signing to the San Antonio Spurs. Photos Onsight Studio was at the basketball clinic to capture memorable pictures. Pam, who works at Photos Onsight, shares that she has known the Leonard family for quite some time and that Leonard actually took his high school senior pictures at their studio. Of the second annual event Pam said with a giggle, “It was a lot more popular this year because he won the MVP last season. It was an amazing event. Kawhi did something great for the youth. He made it all about the kids and I really appreciate that.” The camp didn’t only offer a day of basketball with an MVP professional basketball player, but also a lot of free basketball equipment for the attending youth to keep. The basketball stars in training received a reversible jersey, Under Armour water, camp t-shirt, and more; all Nike-sponsored items. A local, Danielle McQueen entered her four-year-old granddaughter in the camp. “It was a great time. Kawhi’s approach to the kids was so gentle and subtle. It was so impressive,” said McQueen. “Kawhi is a quiet person. When he says something, you know he really means it. When he gave a speech, he didn’t talk long or about himself that much. He just made it all about the kids.” At one point Kim Robertson, Leonard’s mother, with a smile, told McQueen, “How is he going to win MVP and still be so shy?” McQueen shared how ecstatic the kids became once Robertson brought out Leonard’s championship trophy. Children from the clinic were able to take pictures with Leonard and even hold the trophy. McQueen said, “Kawhi made sure all the kids were involved and most of the kids were able to hold it.” Robertson said, “Kawhi loves interacting with the kids. The parents are so great. The event was a success and Kawhi enjoys giving back.”

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