M.L. King of Riverside standout gains most prestigious state player of the year honor for California (one that has roots to 90 years ago) by dominating on both sides of the court. Check this story for updated all-time Mr. Basketball players of the year list and to find out which players earned top state honors among juniors, sophomores, freshmen and for each CIF state division.

By Ronnie Flores, Managing Editor

When motivation meets talent, special things can happen. For Kawhi Leonard, a 6-foot-7 do-it-all performer from Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, the 2008-2009 season was truly special.

As a junior in 2007-2008, he was a key component on a team that finished 32-3 and reached the CIF Div. I regional final. He was primarily a wing player that complimented all-state forward Eric Wise, a 6-foot-4 bruiser underneath. At one point during the season, he was shooting six or seven three-point shots per game and converting over 48 percent of his long-range attempts.

For his efforts, he was named second team all-state underclass. It might have been a snub by CalHiSports.com not to name him to the first team, but it definitely wasn't the biggest snub that motivated Leonard during his senior season.

Leonard, who grew an inch and put on at least 15 pounds of muscle this past year, expanded his game to become a dominant inside presence for the Wolves.

At the same time, he maintained his sweet shooting stroke and became nearly impossible for even the most talented of high school teams to contain. He finished the season with averages of 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game and again led King to the CIF Div. I regional final, while facing teams in the toughest section and regional playoff bracket in recent memory.

Because his expanded game led to team success and the near unanimous endorsement of those that played and coached against him, Leonard has been named California's Mr. Basketball by CalHiSports.com for the 2008-2009 season.

"Between this year and last, another transformation of his game was that he didn't just sit on the outside to shoot threes," remarked King head coach Tim Sweeney Jr. "His rebounding prowess was just incredible. I don't know if there was a better rebounder in high school basketball. This is awesome, I am excited for him. Everybody is finally noticing how good Kawhi was."

With his selection, Leonard becomes the first-ever boys basketball player from Riverside County to be awarded the state's highest individual honor. He is now just the second player from the Inland Empire region to be selected, following Fontana's Corey Benjamin for the 1995-1996 season.

Although only two players from the region have been selected Mr. Basketball going back to 1905, the Inland Empire region had an abundance of fine players this season and San Bernardino County produced its first-ever state  championship team when Rialto Eisenhower won the Div. II state title.

Leonard's stiffest competition for this honor also ended up being another Inland Empire product, Moreno Valley Rancho Verde's Michael Snaer, not to mention the state's highest regarded prospect in the ESPNU 100, Renardo Sidney of Los Angeles Fairfax.

Sidney, the nation's No. 7 prospect who finished with 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and had three assists at the 2009 McDonald's All-American Game in Miami, saw his candidacy hurt by local consensus. It was point guard Dominique O'Connor of state Div. I champ Los Angeles Westchester who was named L.A. City Section Player of the Year while Leonard was named the Player of the Year on the Los Angeles Times' all-star team over both players. Leonard was also named CIF Southern Section Div. I-AA Player of the Year over Snaer, who made quite a positive impression in Miami and finished the game with 13 points.

	Scott Kurtz
	Kawhi Leonard can dominate a game without scoring much.

It was in the CIFSS I-AA playoffs and the state regional where Leonard definitely made his mark and separated himself from the pack. Not since the 1993 or 1989 L.A. City Section playoffs have we seen a playoff division as stacked with as many good players and teams. Leonard led the Wolves to a semifinal win over Compton Dominguez and had a signature 11-point, 20-rebound performance in a section finals' 71-56 victory over then state and national No. 1 Santa Ana Mater Dei.

Leonard not only displayed his defensive versatility in that game with six blocked shots and three steals, but also the ability to elevate the performance of his teammates as he did not score a single point during King's decisive run. Against stellar competition, he made an impact on the game with the ability to guard players on the wing, as he did as a junior, or battle much taller players on the boards and demand the ball inside, two elements he added to his game as a senior.

After the Mater Dei game, Leonard then led King to victories over CIFSS Div. I-A champ Tesoro and L.A. City Section runner-up Taft of Woodland Hills in the regional playoffs before the Wolves' season came to an end in the regional finals against eventual Div. I champ Westchester. Along the way, he drew praise from opposing players and coaches such as Taft's Derrick Taylor and Dominguez's Duane Cooper.

"Kawhi is the best player we faced this season," Cooper remarked. "He beat us in more than one way, he didn't kill us with points. It's his energy that's contagious. He's bigger, stronger, and more assertive than last season."

Although he's more assertive on the court than in year's past, Leonard was humble and soft-spoken when informed on Thursday he was joining a select group of Mr. Basketball winners that includes names such as Jrue Holiday, Trevor Ariza, Tayshuan Prince, Baron Davis and Paul Pierce. Still, taking to Leonard it's evident he's a leader by example with a voice tone that carries the burning desire to be the best. The kind of desire that comes from deep within.

"It feels good now that I'm just starting to get noticed," said Leonard, who did not play basketball as a ninth-grader at Moreno Valley Canyon Springs. "At first, I was a bench player my sophomore year at Canyon Springs, but I was a starter by the middle of the season. When I switched schools, I started to work out and slowly picked up my game. Yeah, I am happy to win this award, very excited."

Tragically for Leonard, he did get attention of a different sort last year in January when he played in a game against Dominguez just one day after his father, Mark Leonard, was shot and killed in a robbery at a car wash he owned in Compton. Overcoming that situation the way he did also was impressive.

Leonard's inner-fire this season also was lit up by the trials and tribulations of college recruiting. He wasn't offered by many high-major schools, who passed on offering him a scholarship in favor of players that have been on the recruiting radar for a longer period of time.

"I already knew I wasn't going to be picked way before the (McDonald's) teams were announced based on where I was ranked on websites," said Leonard, who will enroll at San Diego State as part of that school's best recruiting class ever. "The bigger schools went after more name players. They were looking at me, but not as their main guy. They didn't want me, so now I am going to go in looking to start and do my best. My goals are to win conference freshman of the year and help my team make the (NCAA) tournament."

"He was being heavily recruited by the high majors," Sweeney Jr. explained. "Overnight, they completely dropped off the map. They better hope they don't play against him. If Kawhi continues to improve and shows this is what he wants to do, I have no doubt he can be a NBA player."

Leonard's transformation from bench warmer to impact player obviously played a role in his McDonald's snub. That did not stop some of California's participants to sing high praises about the California wing with long arms and huge Connie Hawkins-like hands that was missing in Miami.

"He's quite a long athlete, he's real good," remarked Mater Dei's Travis Wear. "He's an All-American."

"I am the Gatorade Player of the Year and I do feel I am the best player, but he deserves it, he's worked hard to get where he is," remarked Snaer, whose Rancho Verde club lost to the same Mater Dei team that King beat.

"He just didn't get the attention. I usually get all the credit out there (the Inland Empire). He just didn't start out where all the other players in this class did...He's gotten good real fast."

Good enough to be named Mr. Basketball. Congratulations to Leonard and his family from CalHiSports.com.

Here is the complete slate of 2009 State Boys Basketball Players of the Year:

Juniors:
Jeremy Tyler (San Diego)
Last year's State Sophomore of the Year showed dramatic improvement despite a tumultuous season in which three transfers never got into a game, the coach was let go, and the San Diego Section forced the Cavers to forfeit two contests. Despite playing on an extremely one-dimensional team and drawing double-and triple-team defenses, Tyler, a 6-11 center, averaged 28.7 points a game to lead the San Diego Section and although through the turmoil no one kept official statistics, he had several 20-plus rebound games and was a prolific shot-blocker. Those who saw the University of Louisville commit play over the last three years noted his increased maturity, although his frustration did spill over after a loss to Torrey Pines ended the Cavers' 14-12 season in the section semifinals. Perhaps the best testament to Tyler's improvement was how he fared personally against standout senior Renardo Sidney of L.A. Fairfax. A year ago as a sophomore, Tyler was held to two points against Fairfax. This year, although the Cavers got blown out, Tyler scored 29.

Sophomores:
Angelo Chol (Hoover, San Diego)
Leading the Cardinals to the San Diego Section Division II title, Chol proved himself to be one of the best defensive players state history by surpassing Emery (Emeryville) High's Darnell Robinson atop the state single-season blocked shot list with a reported total of 337. Chol was more of a support player on offense, averaging 12.8 points per game with a nifty hook shot and was a 70 percent shooter from the free throw line. Additionally, he averaged 13.2 rebounds a game – just missing a triple-double average. Chol managed to play stellar defense without fouling out very often en route to helping the Cardinals to a 28-8 record and their second straight section title. "That's one of my goals, winning four straight championships,” Chol told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Freshmen:
Gabe York (Lutheran, Orange)
It's certainly not an easy pick for the ninth-graders this season, but York, a 6-2 guard, gets the nod for stepping up with an average of 14 ppg in the tough Trinity League. He also was the only freshman on any of the CIF Southern Section all-divisional honor teams. Another performance by York that stands out is scoring 21 points against Mater Dei of Santa Ana. The Monarchs were No. 1 in the nation at the time and even though they won easily, a freshman getting 21 against them doesn't happen very often.

CIF Division I:
Kawhi Leonard (M.L. King, Riverside)
The 6-7 senior forward also has been chosen as the 2009 Mr. Basketball State Player of the Year.

CIF Division II:
Brendan Lane (Rocklin)
The 6-9 senior was earlier named one of eight finalists for our top Mr. Basketball statewide honor and adds another postseason accolade after leading the Thunder to league, section and NorCal championships. On the year, the UCLA-bound senior averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds, and almost five blocks a game as he finished his high school career in fine style with 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks in the Thunder's state final loss to Eisenhower of Rialto. He scored a season-high 40 points in Rocklin's first game of the season had scored at least 25 points in 11 games on the year as the Thunder went 33-3. Most of his points came from the paint but he showed he can shoot from the outside with 44 three-point shots made on the year. Lane's selection as the Division II state player of the year is the first time in history that a player from the Sacramento area has won this award, which has normally found a place more often than not down in Southern California. Lane also was impressive in the classroom as he maintained a 4.2 grade-point average.

CIF Division III:
Chase Tapley (Sacramento)
Rocklin's Brendan Lane beat out Tapley for the Sacramento Bee's Player of the Year honor, but in the CalHiSports.com selections both seniors get to shine brightly. Tapley helped lead the Dragons to the NorCal Division III finals in a season that saw him average 23 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals a game. He scored at least 30 points in a game seven times, including a season-high 34 points in a 73-66 win over Inglewood. He didn't play much his freshman year and then had his sophomore season cut short with a broken leg but once healthy he was a key factor in the Dragons' appearing in two straight NorCal championship games at Arco Arena and a state final. The 6-3 guard will now head to San Diego State where he will join Mr. Basketball State Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard and others in a super class of freshmen next season.

CIF Division IV:
Justin Cobbs (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance)
We saw Cobbs play before he ever suited up for the Knights at summer events and his evolution has been a pleasure to watch. He always had been a natural playmaker, but when he needed to score for his high school team as an underclassman, his shot selection suffered at times. It all came together for Cobbs, however, during a spectacular senior season that saw Bishop Montgomery advance to the Div. IV state title game. He'd rather forget how that game ended, but there is no question the Knights would have not been a 28-5 team and a few plays away from a Div. IV state title without him. As a junior, Cobbs was CIFSS Div. II-AA co-Player of the Year with teammate Aaron Ware and there is little doubt he was a much improved player this season. With added strength and discipline, Cobbs averaged 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. The Minnesota-bound guard is Bishop Montgomery's second divisional state player of the year following guard Errick Craven, who received Div. III accolades during for the 2000-2001 season.

CIF Division V:
Darius Morris (Windward Academy, Los Angeles)
Last season as a junior, the 6-foot-4 Morris averaged 27 ppg and was a all-state Div. IV choice. This season, he was even better although his scoring average was less at 18 ppg. Six-foot-10 Anthony Stover took some of the pressure off of Morris with his shot-blocking and rebounding ability inside and he was also complimented offensively by emerging sophomore Wesley Saunders. With more talent around him, Morris became an even more effective defender and playmaker (6 apg and 5 rpg) instead of having to score so much and play inside on defense. This honor basically came down to the Michigan-bound Morris and the UCLA-bound Stover and Morris gets the nod since he was a bigger threat on both ends of the floor for the Div. V state champs. "He carried the team in a lot of close games," remarked Windward head coach Miguel Villegas when informed we never have ties in any teams we rank or individual honors we award. "We went to him when we needed something good to happen in close ballgames. We don't win those close game without that guy (Morris), without question." Morris becomes the first honoree in this division from the CIF Southern Section since Curtis Allen of Rolling Hills Prep in 2003 and the first from L.A.'s Westside since Jeff Todd of Santa Monica Crossroads in 1983.

MR. BASKETBALL
STATE PLAYERS
OF THE YEAR
ALL-TIME LIST

(CalHiSports.com)
(Note: All-time list before 1980 compiled by our founder, the late Nelson Tennis, based on research)

2009  Kawhi Leonard, Riverside Martin Luther King, 6-7
2008  Jrue Holiday, North Hollywood Campbell Hall, 6-3
2007  Taylor King, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-8
2006  Chase Budinger, Carlsbad La Costa Canyon, 6-8
2005  Amir Johnson, L.A. Westchester, 6-10
2004  DeMarcus Nelson, Sacramento Sheldon, 6-3
2003  Trevor Ariza, L.A. Westchester, 6-8
2002  Hassan Adams, L.A. Westchester, 6-4
2001  Tyson Chandler, Compton Dominguez, 7-1
2000  Tyson Chandler, Compton Dominguez, 7-0
1999  Casey Jacobsen, Glendora, 6-6
1998  Tayshaun Prince, Compton Dominguez, 6-8
1997  Baron Davis, Santa Monica Crossroads, 6-2
1996  Corey Benjamin, Fontana, 6-6
1995  Paul Pierce, Inglewood, 6-7
1994  Jelani Gardner, Bellflower St. John Bosco, 6-6
1993  Charles O'Bannon, Lakewood Artesia, 6-7
1992  Jason Kidd, Alameda St. Joseph, 6-4
1991  Jason Kidd, Alameda St. Joseph, 6-4 Jr.
1990  Ed O'Bannon, Lakewood Artesia, 6-9
1989  Tracy Murray, Glendora, 6-8
1988  Chris Mills, L.A. Fairfax, 6-7
1987  LeRon Ellis, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-11
1986  Scott Williams, Hacienda Heights Wilson, 6-10
1985  Tom Lewis, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-7
1984  John Williams, L.A. Crenshaw, 6-8
1983  John Williams, L.A. Crenshaw, 6-7 Jr.
1982  Tony Jackson, Oakland Bishop O'Dowd, 6-4
1981  Dwayne Polee, L.A. Manual Arts, 6-5
1980  Ralph Jackson, Inglewood, 6-3
1979  Darren Daye, Granada Hills Kennedy, 6-7
1978  Greg Goorjian, Crescenta Valley, 6-2
1977  Cliff Robinson, Oakland Castlemont, 6-7
1976  Rich Branning, Huntington Beach Marina, 6-2
1975  Bill Cartwright, Elk Grove, 7-1
1974  Bill Cartwright, Elk Grove, 7-0 Jr.
1973  Marques Johnson, L.A. Crenshaw, 6-5
1972  Cliff Pondexter, Fresno San Joaquin Memorial, 6-7 Jr.
1971  Roscoe Pondexter, Fresno San Joaquin Memorial, 6-6
1970  Bill Walton, La Mesa Helix, 6-10
1969  Keith Wilkes, Ventura, 6-5 Jr.
1968  Paul Westphal, Redondo Beach Aviation, 6-2
1967  Curtis Rowe, L.A. Fremont, 6-6
1966  Dennis Awtrey, San Jose Blackford, 6-9
1965  Bob Portman, S.F. St. Ignatius, 6-5
1964  Russ Critchfield, Salinas, 5-10
1963  Edgar Lacey, L.A. Jefferson, 6-6
1962  Joe Ellis, Oakland McClymonds, 6-5
1961  Gail Goodrich, L.A. Poly, 5-11
1960  Paul Silas, Oakland McClymonds, 6-6
1959  Steve Gray, S.F. Washington, 6-4
1958  Billy McGill, L.A. Jefferson, 6-9
1957  Tom Meschery, S.F. Lowell, 6-5
1956  Fred LaCour, S.F. St. Ignatius, 6-4
1955  Fred LaCour, S.F. St. Ignatius, 6-4 Jr.
1954  Willie Davis, Alameda, 5-11
1953  Bill Bond, Long Beach St. Anthony 6-1
1952  Willie Naulls, San Pedro, 6-5
1951  Ken Sears, Watsonville, 6-7
1950  Don Bragg, S.F. Galileo, 6-3

(List extends back to 1905 in the CalHiSports.com State Record Book and Almanac. Call 1-800-660-1334, ext. 4431 to order your copy of the new record book today. The seventh edition of this book includes the names of more than 30,000 current and past California high school athletes. if you love the content on our site, you'll love the book, so order your copy today.)

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