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Aztecs Will Retire Kawhi Leonard's Jersey This Weekend

In this photo taken, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, San Diego State coach Steve Fisher directs Kawhi Leonard during an NCAA college basketball game in San Diego.
Lenny Ignelzi / AP
In this photo taken, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, San Diego State coach Steve Fisher directs Kawhi Leonard during an NCAA college basketball game in San Diego.

San Diego State will raise former Aztec basketball great Kawhi Leonard's jersey into the rafters at Viejas Arena this weekend as this year's team looks to extend its historic run.

Last Sunday, the Aztecs won a school-record 21st straight victory at UNLV. They won again on Wednesday in New Mexico.

"I definitely realize that we’re 22-0 but at the same time I don’t think it’s really hit me yet," said SDSU junior forward Matt Mitchell. "We’re in this moment and it’s so surreal."

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Now the Aztecs are gearing up for a big weekend at their home court. Leonard, who currently plays for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, will be in the building for Saturday's game against Utah State to have his SDSU jersey retired.

In 2011, Leonard led the team to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament. He is one of the biggest stars in the NBA, having been the MVP of two championship teams.

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If Saturday's game is a sellout, it will be the sixth consecutive for the Aztecs.

"I think it’ll be one of the best environments we’ve ever had here with an undefeated team playing the unanimous pick to win the Mountain West Conference and Kawhi Leonard jersey hanging up in the rafters," coach Brian Dutcher said. "I think it is going to be electric in the building."

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Dutcher wants to make sure the guys stay focused amid all the excitement.

"My task is to keep it from becoming a distraction because we’re here to win basketball games," he said.

Tip-off for Saturday’s game against Utah State is 7 p.m.

Aztecs Will Retire Kawhi Leonard's Jersey This Weekend
Listen to this story by Matt Hoffman.

Corrected: March 28, 2024 at 8:02 AM PDT
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