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NBA: Top 10 Active Players From Mid-Majors

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 30, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fight for a loose ball during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Golden State won in overtime 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fight for a loose ball during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Golden State won in overtime 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) brings the ball up the court against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson (21) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) brings the ball up the court against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson (21) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

School: San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West Conference)
Position: Small Forward
Age: 25 (6/29/1991)
2015-16 Slash Line: .506/.443/.874
2015-16 Season Averages: 33.1 MPG, 21.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.8 3PM
Accolades: NBA Champion (2014), Finals MVP (2014), 2x Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA First Team, 2x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, Steals Leader (2015)

When the San Antonio Spurs selected Kawhi Leonard at No. 15 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, no one expected him to achieve what he has. At 25 years of age, Leonard already has the foundation for a Hall of Fame resume.

Leonard clearly has work to do to solidify his place as a Hall of Fame player, but he’s well on his way to doing so.

I’ll admit that I was inclined to place Paul George ahead of Leonard, but the latter has earned his keep. He’s the best defensive player in the NBA, as evidenced by his two Defensive Player of the Year awards and three All-Defensive Team selections.

Leonard also made the All-NBA First Team in 2015-16 and won the NBA championship and Finals MVP award in 2014.

Long heralded for his defense, Leonard added consistent offense to his game. In 2015-16, he and Stephen Curry were the only players who averaged at least 20.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting or better from the field and at least 40.0 percent shooting from 3-point range.

From a non-lottery pick to No. 2 in the MVP voting, Leonard has experienced a meteoric rise to genuine NBA stardom.

Next: Two-Time MVP