{"id":547382,"date":"2026-01-19T20:14:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T20:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/547382\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T20:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T20:14:18","slug":"former-raptor-kawhi-leonard-hosts-kids-basketball-clinic-in-scarborough-toronto-is-still-in-my-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/547382\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Raptor Kawhi Leonard hosts kids\u2019 basketball clinic in Scarborough: \u2018TORONTO IS STILL IN MY HEART\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Raptors hosted the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night<\/a> but Kawhi Leonard didn\u2019t return home with the rest of his team.<\/p>\n

Rather, the following day, the former Raptor hosted a basketball clinic for dozens of youth in Scarborough.<\/p>\n

Leonard was met with cheers as he entered TAT Stadium.<\/p>\n

You can take the man out of Toronto\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cToronto is still in my heart,\u201d Leonard told the crowd, adding that his son was born here.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s from Canada, so we always talk about bringing him back and showing him where he was born,\u201d he said. \u201cI just wanted to leave a blueprint out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NBA star went on to join the young players from the Boys and Girls Club on the court as they showed off their basketball skills, he wrote on his Instagram page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A mural \u2014 which features a photo of Leonard\u2019s iconic buzzer beater in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 was also unveiled.<\/p>\n

(Yes, we still get goosebumps just thinking about one of the most famous plays in Raptors history.)<\/p>\n

The mural also includes a quote from Leonard that reads: \u201cYou are stronger than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard watches as his game winning ball goes in, to clinch the series in Game 7, as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, in Toronto, Ont. on Sunday , May 13, 2019. (Stan Behal\/Toronto Sun\/Postmedia Network)<\/p>\n

Art imitates life<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a message that the superstar wanted to pass along to the youngsters \u2014 on and off the court.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, everybody remembers this shot right here, but it\u2019s not just that shot,\u201d he told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about the countless hours before that, and then we still have work to do after this. We still have to play the semifinals and a final,\u201d Leonard recounted of that special time.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, like the quote says, you\u2019re stronger than you think,\u201d he added. \u201cWhen you get in difficult times, just stay focused and know you can overcome, and even if things aren\u2019t going well, just know you can do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jackie Fung, who founded TAT Stadium<\/a>, said the mural is displayed in what will be called the Kawhi Leonard Court.<\/p>\n

He added that Leonard also donated shoes, clothes, and basketballs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something they\u2019re going to remember for the rest of their life,\u201d Fung told CP24<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More to come from Kawhi<\/p>\n

Leonard revealed that the event, which was also attended by Mayor Olivia Chow and City Councillor Michael Thompson, was just the first of more he plans to do to help GTA youths.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis won\u2019t be the last thing,\u201d he said. I\u2019ll be doing something else out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

After helping lead the Raptors to their first NBA championship title, Leonard signed with the Clippers.<\/p>\n

Even though Leonard didn\u2019t play, the Raptors lost to the Clippers<\/a> 112-117 in overtime on Friday.<\/p>\n

Their next matchup is on March 25 in L.A.<\/p>\n

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