San Antonio Spurs Forward Kawhi Leonard Hosts Free Clinic for Kids by Nicole Vega - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events

San Antonio Spurs Forward Kawhi Leonard Hosts Free Clinic for Kids

By Nicole Vega, Community Writer
August 23, 2013 at 08:35am. Views: 71

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard paid a special visit to his hometown of Moreno Valley on Saturday, Aug. 10, where he hosted a free basketball-training clinic for kids. The Spurs, who made it to the final round of this year’s NBA Finals, signed Leonard back in 2011. Leonard, who attended Martin Luther King High School and graduated in 2009, has since proven himself to be a dynamic and consistent player, making the adjustment from collegiate to professional ball. With two seasons under his belt, Leonard made the decision to give back to the community he grew up in, affording a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he never had growing up. The one-day clinic for kids, ages 8 to 17, gave them a chance to interact with Leonard and get helpful basketball pointers and insight from a professional player and coaching staff such as Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden and Orlando Magic assistant development coach Luke Stuckey. At camps and clinics such as these, Leonard says that depending on the age, he looks at what type of potential the kid may have, or if they’re playing just to have fun. “Helping them on their fundamentals of the game and just allowing them to be a better player—that’s what I enjoy about camps and just seeing that smile on the kid’s faces,” said Leonard. Event Director Mandy Snyder says the clinic filled 75 openings in less than 24 hours, a quarter of whom were girls. In addition to professional tips from the NBA player, kids also received jerseys, T-shirts, autographed pictures, bumper stickers and a picture with the 6-foot-7-inch forward. Stuckey explains that while he has been involved with many camps over the years, this one in particular has had the most attendance. “Having Kawhi so active in the camp makes it different. A lot of guys just show up, say “Hi!” and then leave so that makes it cool for the kids,” says Stuckey. While the chances of making basketball a career are slim, it is possible. “Work hard every day,” says Leonard. “If you really want it, work hard every day. Surround yourself with good people and just stay focused.” “The most important thing is to really learn what is being taught and take that home and practice a lot of hours on your own,” notes Stuckey. “You have to think how many gyms in the world, in America, have 30, 40, 50 kids practicing and playing. And if you look at the broad scope of that, you have to do more, you have to be better, you have to put in more work to be able to stand out.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 349

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 507

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 802

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 427

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 736

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 366

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 446

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1053

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 432

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 353

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 669

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 639

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->