Kawhi Leonard Named to 2013-14 NBA All-Defensive Second Team

SAN ANTONIO – The NBA today announced that San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the 2013-14 season. Leonard becomes the seventh Spurs player in franchise history to be named to an NBA All-Defensive Team.

In his third season, Leonard averaged career-highs with 6.2 rebounds, 1.73 steals (10th in the league) and 0.76 blocks in 66 total games. He led the team in steals in 28 games and in rebounds and blocks on 12 occasions each.

His 1.73 steals per game average marked the most by a Spurs player since Manu Ginobili in 2003-04 (1.77). On two occasions this season Leonard tallied five steals in a contest (11/20 vs. Boston and 3/6 vs. Miami).

Joining Leonard (16 First Team votes) on the Second Team are forward LeBron James of the Miami Heat (57 First Team votes), guard Patrick Beverley of the Houston Rockets (44 First Team votes), guard Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls (29 First Team votes) and center Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers (15 First Team votes).

First Team honorees include center Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls (223 points, 105 First Team votes), forward Paul George of the Indiana Pacers (161 points, 65 First Team votes), guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (156 points, 64 First Team votes), forward Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder (152 points, 54 First Team votes) and guard/forward Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors (148 points, 57 First Team Votes).

The voting panel consisted of 123 writers and broadcasters from the U.S. and Canada. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.