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Report: Raptors Hire Kawhi Leonard's Friend Jeremy Castleberry from Spurs

Adam Wells@adamwells1985Featured ColumnistAugust 21, 2018

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard warms up before Game 1 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, May 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Kawhi Leonard's presence is apparently already having an impact on coaching decisions made by the Toronto Raptors.  

Per ESPN.com's Ian Begley, former San Antonio Spurs assistant Jeremy Castleberry—described as a close friend of Leonard'shas been hired to work on Raptors head coach Nick Nurse's staff. 

Leonard and Castleberry's relationship dates back to high school and college at San Diego State where they both played basketball. 

In 2014, a picture circulated on social media with Leonard and Castleberry in attendance at a San Diego State home game:

Lisa Lane @LisaLane_Sports

Look who showed up to support the #aztecs tonight! #KawhiLeonard #JamaalFranklin #JeremyCastleberry http://t.co/T6qZkrJNNK

The Spurs hired Castleberry in 2014 to work in the video and player development departments.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Leonard has made it clear he intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers when he hits free agency.

The Raptors acquired Leonard from the Spurs in July. The two-time All-Star can become a free agent next summer if he opts out of his deal at the end of the 2018-19 season.