They have been together for 13 years and have two children.
Key Takeaways
- Kawhi Leonard and Kishele Shipley have been in a relationship since 2014.
- The couple has two children, a daughter named Kaliyah and a son whose name has not been publicly disclosed.
- Kawhi joined the LA Clippers in 2019, motivated by his desire to be closer to his family.
Kawhi Leonard, the two-time NBA Champion currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Kishele Shipley, since 2014.
The couple met while attending San Diego State University, where Leonard played for the Aztecs for two seasons (2009 to 2011).
Kishele has been by Leonard’s side through most of his professional career, which began when he was drafted 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers and traded to the San Antonio Spurs on June 23, 2011.
Kawhi and Kishele have two children: a daughter named Kaliyan, born in 2016, and a son, born in 2019, whose name has not been revealed to the public.
How Kawhi Leonard’s Girlfriend Kishele Shipley is Just Like Him; Photos of Her Celebrating Raptors Championship (Pics-Vids) https://t.co/l4tZyx77tB pic.twitter.com/jREIlI6FdP
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) June 18, 2019
While the couple met during college, they began their relationship roughly three years after Kawhi left for the NBA after his sophomore year in 2011.
It is unknown how they reconnected, but as of 2024, they have been in a relationship for 13 years.
Kawhi and Kishele live their personal lives away from the public spotlight. Neither of them uses social media.
In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Kawhi’s mother, Kim Robertson, said,
What people don’t understand is Kawhi doesn’t really care about the hype, or about this big name or that big name. That’s not what he’s about. He just wants to play basketball, that’s it.
Via PEOPLE
Kawhi Leonard & (Longtime Girlfriend) Kishele Shipley 1 kid
— 📚 Bobby “We All We Got” Ase 👨🏾🏫 🔴⚫️🟢 (@Ppls_Champ) November 14, 2019
🦝💸
I was rooting for you bro 🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/1lrYbEc8ZV
The couple is also understandably cautious regarding their kids and rarely brings them to public events.
However, in 2019, Kaliyan appeared alongside her parents at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California.
Kawhi also brought his entire family to receive the Kia NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award on February 16, 2020.
Kawhi joined the LA Clippers in the summer of 2019.
After leading the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship and securing his second Finals MVP award, Leonard signed with the Clippers as a coveted free agent.
His decision, however, was motivated by his desire to be closer to his family.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Kawhi said,
It was about what the future has to hold. And for me, myself and my family, that’s what type of decision I had to make. It’s no discredit to Toronto, I just wanted to play at home.
Via PEOPLE
He added,
It’s like we’re in the NBA and I played eight years already. Eight years can fly by so fast, and we’re not able to do anything with [our families] eight or nine months of the season … So once the summer comes, you got three months to either go see family, train and do your other business obligations. There’s really no time to see them, to see your family. I love my family.
Via PEOPLE
Breaking: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be heading to the LA Clippers, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/5gxb2o6FhU
— ESPN (@espn) July 6, 2019
While the couple has remained unmarried, they were rumored to be engaged after the pair were photographed by paparazzi while arriving at LAX on May 25, 2022.
What sparked the rumor was a massive diamond ring on Kishele’s ring finger.
However, neither Kawhi nor Kishele ever addressed the topic.
As of November 2024, they remain unmarried.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kawhi Leonard is known for his exceptionally large hands. His hand measures 11.25 inches from thumb to pinkie and 9.75 inches from the base to the tip of his middle finger.
- Despite his success and wealth, Kawhi is known for his frugality. Early in his NBA career, he continued to drive the same Chevy Malibu he had in college, even after signing lucrative contracts.
- Kawhi’s father, Mark Leonard, was tragically murdered in 2008 at the car wash he owned. Despite this devastating loss, Kawhi played in a high school game the very next day, scoring 17 points and breaking down in his mother’s arms after the game.
