KAWHI LEONARD SELECTED AS STARTER FOR THE 2016 NBA ALL-STAR GAME

SAN ANTONIO (January 21, 2016)  - The NBA today announced that San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has been selected to be a starter in the 2016 All-Star Game. The fifth-year Spur was voted by fans into the game to be held on Sunday, Feb. 14 in Toronto. This is Leonard's first All-Star appearance and he becomes the sixth Spurs player in franchise history to be selected as an All-Star starter, joining George Gervin, Larry Kenon, Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Tim Duncan. This season Leonard has helped guide the Spurs to a 36-6 record, tying San Antonio's best start in franchise history. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is averaging career-highs in points (20.1 ppg), assists (2.6 apg), three-point field goal percentage (.481, 74-154), free throw percentage (.874, 139-159) and minutes (33.2 mpg), while also registering 7.0 rebounds and 1.95 steals per game. He joins David Robinson as the only two players in Spurs history to record 800 points, 275 rebounds and 75 steals at the halfway point of the season.  Leonard currently ranks second in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, ninth in steals and 20th in scoring.  He is the only player in the league shooting 50.0 percent from the field (.506), 45.0 percent from long range (.481) and 85.0 percent from the free throw line (.874). In 40 appearances this season Leonard has connected on a career-best 74 three-pointers, passing his previous best of 69 makes during the 2013-14 season. The 2013 NBA Finals MVP has registered seven double-doubles and 38 games scoring in double figures, including 22 games with 20-or-more points. During the month of December, Leonard averaged 19.1 points while shooting .500 (98-196) from the floor, .508 (30-59) from beyond the arc and .910 (61-67) from the foul line.  His numbers for the month join him with Larry Bird, Dana Barros, Steve Nash and Kevin Durant as the only players in NBA history to produce a 50-50-90 month while attempting at least 100 field goals, 50 three-pointers and 50 free throw attempts.  Leonard earned his first NBA Player of the Week honor for games played from Dec. 14-20. Joining Leonard as Western Conference starters are: Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City). The 65th NBA All-Star Game will tip off on Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the first All-Star Game to be held outside of the U.S.  The game will be seen by fans in more than 200 countries and territories and will be heard in more than 40 languages.  TNT will televise the All-Star Game in the U.S.