Kawhi Leonard
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Sergio Scariolo opened up about the opportunity to coach the NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard during their time with the Toronto Raptors.

Scariolo, an assistant coach of Nick Nurse in the Raptors, and Leonard helped Toronto earn its first-ever NBA championship in 2019.

The Italian coach said it was ‘a great experience’ coaching Leonard, who is ‘probably the best player’ Scariolo has ever coached.

“It was a great experience. He is proof that a guy does not have to be awkward to be a superstar. He is probably the best player I have ever coached.

He was professional, a quiet guy, but he will talk, will listen and tell you his opinions about things on and off the court. He does not mind guarding the best player of the opponent, even if he has to waste energy and be less fresh in offense.

He is a winner and committed to help his team win than care about his stats,” Scariolo told Fran Fraschilla during his appearance on the World of Basketball podcast.