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.

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