GETTING INSIDE
The first 12 games of the Kawhi Leonard era at San Diego State have gone pretty well. And it’s clear the fabulous freshman forward is merely scratching the surface of his talents.
The 6-foot-7 Leonard has been a rebounding dynamo, with a Mountain West Conference-leading 9.7 average to go with a 9.9 scoring average and 16 steals while helping the Aztecs to a 9-3 start.
But you will never hear the highly acclaimed Leonard boast about his exploits.
“I’ve just been coming out, playing my hardest in the games and the team is helping me out at practice to get me better,” the soft-spoken Leonard said.
Of course, Leonard does have plenty of things he can improve on. His shooting percentage is just 42.7, and his 3-point shooting has been out of whack (3 of 25, 12 percent). But he has certainly lived up to his billing as an impact recruit.
“Kawhi came in much acclaimed—not self proclaimed—but by others,” San Diego State coach Steve Fisher said.
“He’s a very good player. The best qualities he brings to the table are: He doesn’t think he’s as good as he is; he’s a willing listener and tries to do what you ask; he wants to get better; and he has an extremely high motor and plays hard. You don’t have to coach effort from him.”
Leonard had 14 points and 11 rebounds in a 76-73 overtime victory over Drake on Dec. 22 for his fourth double-double of the season. Leonard has averaged 13.0 rebounds in San Diego State’s past four games.
NOTES, QUOTES
• The Aztecs are a poor 3-point shooting team (32.0) but made a season-best nine 3-pointers in the overtime victory over Drake. Two players did the damage—Kelvin Davis (5-of-8) and D.J. Gay (4 of 5).
• San Diego State has a unique streak—a nation-best nine consecutive overtime wins. Two have occurred this season (San Diego and Drake).
January At A Glance: With Tim Shelton back from knee surgery, it is well established that the Aztecs will have a nine-player rotation during Mountain West Conference play. Depth was shaky during Shelton’s absence and three players (guard D.J. Gay, forward Kawhi Leonard and center Malcolm Thomas) are averaging more than 30 minutes per game. Shelton’s presence will allow starters to get some extra rest time.
Quote To Note: “He may not be as flashy and spectacular as Richie (Williams) was in some areas but D.J. will grow into what he can do and do well, and he’s doing that.”—San Diego State coach Steve Fisher on point guard D.J. Gay, who has more than adequately replaced four-year starter Richie Williams.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: San Diego State has a solid 9-3 record despite the fact that PG D.J. Gay is the only player to start every game. Gay (10.8 points per game) is one of the three players averaging in double figures, along with F Billy White (12.5) and C Malcolm Thomas (10.1). Two other players are averaging a shade under 10 (Kawhi Leonard at 9.9 and Tyrone Shelley at 9.6), and the balanced attack has served the Aztecs well.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—F Billy White, F Kawhi Leonard, C Malcolm Thomas, G Tyrone Shelley, PG D.J. Gay. Key Subs—G Kelvin Davis, F Tim Shelton, C Brian Carlwell, G Chase Tapley.
Game Review:
San Diego State 63, Arizona 46
Arizona State 55, San Diego State 52
San Diego State 76, Drake 73
Game Preview:
vs. UC Riverside, Tuesday, Dec. 29
vs. Pomona-Pitzer, Thursday, Dec. 31
vs. New Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 5
at Wyoming, Saturday, Jan. 9
at UNLV, Wednesday, Jan. 13
In Focus: San Diego State has two easy home games leading into conference play and then the stakes heat up dramatically with New Mexico visiting to start Mountain West play. Following is a tough two-game road trip to Wyoming and UNLV, which makes beating New Mexico doubly important.
Roster Report:
• Senior G Kelvin Davis is making a nice comeback from Hodgkin’s lymphoma and ranks sixth on the Aztecs in scoring at 7.2 points per game. Davis tied a career-high by making five 3-point baskets in the victory over Drake. His 16 treys are second most on the team.
• Sophomore F Tim Shelton played 16 minutes against Drake, his most extended playing time since returning from offseason microfracture knee surgery. Shelton played just 19 minutes in his first three games back on the court.
• Freshman G Chase Tapley played his best of the game season in the loss to Arizona State, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
