Where does the Padres connection come from?
Kawhi Leonard has never said he roots for the San Diego Padres. The tie comes from writers and outlets. Sportskeeda wrote in August 2023 that he "became a San Diego Padres fan during college," and EssentiallySports ran a piece the next day about him supporting the Padres. TMZ reported in August 2022 that Leonard, who it said rarely makes public appearances, showed up to an event with his family "decked out in Padres gear." ClutchPoints wrote in July 2025 that he is "a big fan because he used to go to school in San Diego."
How does it fit with where he played and grew up?
Leonard was born in Los Angeles and played at San Diego State from 2009 to 2011, which is the connection ClutchPoints and Sportskeeda point to. It is a tie drawn from where he went to school and from his appearances in Padres gear, not a fandom he has stated himself.
Questions people ask
What team did Kawhi Leonard root for growing up?
No childhood team is given for Leonard; the only team tied to him is the Padres, linked through his years at San Diego State.
What is Kawhi Leonard's favorite MLB team?
He has not named one himself, but outlets including Sportskeeda and TMZ have linked him to the San Diego Padres.
What teams does Kawhi Leonard root for?
The only team tied to him is the San Diego Padres, and that tie comes from outlets rather than from Leonard himself.