And you point to Kawhi Leonard and say, not only can you get there from here, you can arguably be best player in the NBA from San Diego State.''ĭutcher said Leonard was willing to do whatever it took to win during his two seasons at SDSU. ''So you bring them here and you show them the conference titles we win at the highest level, show them the quality education they can get here at San Diego State - second-most applied-to school in the country - you show them we've been to the NCAA Tournament seven out of 10 years, and they want to know, can they reach their ultimate dream, play in the NBA. ''When you recruit a young man, they all feel they want to have a chance to play in the NBA,'' Dutcher said. Leonard's impact at SDSU gives the Aztecs credibility during recruiting. That team was the first in school history to reach the Sweet 16. This Aztecs team, led by transfers Malachi Flynn, KJ Feagin and Yanni Wetzell, is on the hottest start in school history after eclipsing the 20-0 start by Leonard's 2010-11 team. But he led us to a 34-3 record, a Sweet 16 appearance, a Mountain West Conference title and was arguably the best player on maybe the best Aztec team. ''We all know what he did beyond here - MVP of two NBA Finals, two-time NBA champion. ''I'd like to say it's for what he did at San Diego State,'' Dutcher said. Leonard often works out there in the summer.Ĭoach Brian Dutcher, who was Fisher's top assistant when Leonard was starring on Montezuma Mesa, has made it clear Leonard is being honored for his contributions to SDSU, not because he became an NBA superstar. Leonard's ''The Claw'' logo - a replica of one of his huge hands - is already prominently displayed on one wall at SDSU's practice gym. I had great teammates and that's why I was able to succeed.'' Those coaches gave me an opportunity to play young as a freshman. ''It's a great honor,'' Leonard said earlier this week at a Clippers practice. With all the parallels between this year's SDSU team and the 2010-11 squad led by Leonard, it's fitting that Leonard will become the first former Aztecs player to have his jersey retired.
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