May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Kawhi Leonard Gets Honest About Offseason in Rare Interview

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 5:25 PM ET

Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard is known to be a man of few words. However, two-time NBA Champion recently sat down with PEOPLE Magazine for a rare sit-down interview, in which he allowed an inside look at his offseason and family life.

Leonard was interviewed by people while in Paris, where he was debuting a new signature shoe design and sitting front row at fashion shows for some of the world's most exclusive brands. Leonard is embarking on a sort of world tour this offseason, as he will head to Rwanda for a clinic in August before touring Asia.

Kawhi Leonard Gives Rare Look Into His Offseason — and Reveals the Sport His Daughter Is ‘Really Into’ (Exclusive) https://t.co/RmHnDY4T8P
— People (@people) July 23, 2025

"It was my first time being in Paris, and just seeing how the architecture is, the different cuisines they have, it was nice," Leonard told PEOPLE. "I guess (the shoes) just caught some people's eyes walking around in fashion week and they've just been asking questions."

Leonard also revealed a few inspirations for the sneaker, which included his daughter's fondness of tennis and his own respect for the skateboarding culture in his native Southern California.

kawhi leonard took his first trip to paris last month to make his debut as a sneaker designer

he told me the architecture was "cool" but he passed on trying escargot

more with the fun guy: https://t.co/bVnVdYBWFc
— Natasha Dye (@natashadye) July 23, 2025

"My daughter's into tennis, so when I went to the US Open in 2022, and I think Coco (Gauff) won it, I just built this sneaker based off of being there with my daughter," Leonard told PEOPLE. "It's like the tennis-ball material. But some of the inspiration for the shoes that I was wearing in Milan and Paris were the tennis ones.

"(Also) just giving a nod back to the street culture and skateboarding. They have their own style and tastes. They don't have no uniform set up. They could just put any pieces together they want."

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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