Clippings: Kawhi Leonard is not wasting time off the court

Kawhi Leonard is nothing short of an enigma in today’s NBA. Even though his basketball talent is undeniable (he was just honored as a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team), it’s his activity off the court that attracts attention. His robot-like stoicism displayed during public appearances have led some to compare him to the Terminator (culminating in a commercial with the Terminator himself). Not only that, but his lack of a social media presence adds an element of mystery to one of the most complicated figures in basketball.

When he does appear in others’ social media posts, it inevitably attracts disproportionate attention. His most recent appearance in the studio is no exception, garnering thousands of likes, retweets, and views on all social media platforms. What may surprise some casual fans is that Leonard’s time in the studio was spent being an executive producer for the album “Culture Jam”, which Leonard will have already released by the time you are reading this article. Dipping his feet into the NBA rap scene dominated by Damian Lillard, Lou Williams, and others, Leonard’s new album features an impressive list of artists, including Lil Uzi, Polo G, and more.

X2 Performance

His musical ventures aren’t the only off-court efforts Leonard is involving himself in. His energy drink brand, X2, just announced a partnership with Anheuser-Busch’s AB ONE based in Los Angeles. Now, his drinks will be available for consumers in various stores across his home region of Southern California, including 7-11 and CVS.

For what it’s worth, Leonard’s music and business ventures don’t differ too greatly from those taken by other superstars, but his mysterious personality certainly enhances the attention that this type of news brings. While that doesn’t stop fans from comparing Leonard to the protagonist of role-playing video games, completing side quests before he carries on with the main story of winning an NBA championship, it’s safe to assume that rehab remains his priority, and that his preparedness will show once he takes the court.

More news for Friday:

• Enes Kanter finds himself in the spotlight after his postgame comments attract international attention.
• Exciting NBA debuts have been happening all week—check out the performances from these impressive rookies.
• Kawhi Leonard’s injury hasn’t stopped everyone from being bullish on the Clippers’ championship chances.
• CJ McCollum’s entrance into the wine market isn’t unprecedented—a substantial number of players are investing in wine, and that number is growing.
• A new partnership between the NBA and Formula 1 will be the first of its kind when it’s announced on Oct. 24.