Kawhi Leonard has been named the recipient of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP award.
Leonard scored 30 points for Team LeBron, helping his side win 157-155 over Team Giannis. The Los Angeles Clippers forward also recorded seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 8-of-14 from beyond the arc.
The NBA renamed the All-Star MVP award on Saturday in honor of the late Bryant, who died Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash in California.
"I want to thank Kobe for everything he's done for me, all the long talks and workouts - thank you," Leonard said Sunday after receiving the trophy. "This one's for him."
“This one is for him.”
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2020
Kawhi after receiving the first-ever Kobe Bryant MVP Award. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/7TafEH44mD
Bryant often worked with Leonard during the summer after the former retired from the NBA in 2016. Leonard was one of several attendees at a private workout hosted by the Los Angeles Lakers legend in September.
Ring Talk. #mambamentality #mambaproinvitational pic.twitter.com/RwWimAhOKm
— Mamba Sports Academy (@MambaSportsHQ) September 26, 2019
Bryant still shares the record with Bob Pettit for the most All-Star MVP awards in NBA history, winning four over the course of his 20-year career.
Sunday marked Leonard's fourth All-Star Game appearance. He has now been selected to the contest as a member of three different teams: the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors, and the Clippers.