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12/23/2024 06:12:14 am

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Kawhi Leonard is 3rd Youngest NBA Finals MVP Behind Earvin “Magic” Johnson

NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kawhi Leonard

(Photo : nba.com)


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22-year-old San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard was named the Bill Russell National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) making him the third youngest player behind Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin "Magic" Johnson in the history of NBA.

Leonard took over the number three spot from co-player Tim Duncan who was 23 years old when he was named the NBA Finals MVP. Magic Johnson takes spots no. 1 and 2 for being named MVP at 20 and 22 years old respectively.

Kawhi scored 20 points or more during the last three games of their NBA Finals against the Miami Heat and his personal best was 29 points during game 3. He shot over 50 percent in field goals in the last three games and has made 11 out of 19 three point shots during the Finals.

Born on June 29, 1991, 6-foot 7-inch Kawhi Anthony Leonard played for the San Diego State University in college, he eventually forgoes his 2 years in college and entered the 2011 NBA Draft. He was selected 15th overall in by the Indiana Pacers but was traded shortly after to the San Antonio Spurs.

During his college years for the SDSU, he led the team to win back-to-back in the Mountain West Championships and had made it into the National College Athletics Association (NCAA) for two straight years. They had advanced up to the sweet 16 but eventually lost to then, NCAA champions University of Connecticut.

In Kawhi's first year in the NBA, he placed fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting and in last year's NBA Finals against Miami; he averaged 14.6 points and 11.1 rebounds but lost the title to the Heat.

This year, Kawhi averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds and had won the NBA Finals in game 5 against the Heat with a final score of 104-87.

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