‘Karate Kawhi' to ‘Bold Like Kawhi': Leonard stars in new Foot Locker commercial

SAN ANTONIO – A day before he made his season debut on Dec. 12 in Dallas, video of star forward Kawhi Leonard "chopping it up" karate-style went viral, leaving Spurs fans with so many questions. 

As of Wednesday, five days before Christmas, we now know why Kawhi made a surprise appearance on Foot Locker’s Instagram story on Dec. 11 that was titled “sneak peek.”

ORIGINAL STORY: ‘Karate Kawhi': Leonard seen ‘chopping it up' in Footlocker's Instagram story

The social media teaser was for Foot Locker and Jordan’s holiday campaign featuring Kawhi in his own spot, entitled, “Bold like Kawhi.”

Leonard, however, was not the only Spurs star to be featured in the holiday spot.

His teammate LaMarcus Aldridge and rapper Nipsey Hussle both made cameos in the minute-long campaign ad. 

The “Bold like Kawhi” spot starts with Kawhi unwrapping a holiday gift from Aldridge with a new pair of orange Air Jordan 1 OG High Gatorade sneakers inside. 

Throughout the commercial, Leonard is seen doing a series of unusual things that many Spurs fans will probably agree they couldn’t imagine Kawhi doing -- hinting to the “bold” in the title. 

“He (Leonard) does karate, drives a low-rider, hits a recording studio with Hussle, parties at a nightclub with Les Twins and to top it off, he chronicles the whole day on social media,” officials with Edelman, a PR firm, said in a press release.

Leonard chimed in on the press release that was sent to KSAT.com by saying he hopes fans enjoy a sample to another side of his personality, rather than just the "even-keeled demeanor" many have come to know him for.

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“I had a ton of fun partnering with Foot Locker and Jordan Brand to show off another side of my personality that most fans don't get to see every day," Leonard said. "Being part of a holiday campaign that pays homage to the original 'Be Like Mike' Gatorade ad is really special."

Despite San Antonio not playing on Dec. 25, Spurs fans will still want to catch the NBA Christmas Day games if they want to see the broadcast debut of Kawhi’s commercial on ESPN. 

The "Bold like Kawhi" Gatorade AJ1 shoes will launch on Dec. 26 and come in four colors: orange, lemon-lime, grape and blue cherry.

Foot Locker is the only retailer to carry all four colorways and will also release the Air Jordan VI Gatorade on Dec. 30, which draws inspiration from Gatorade’s iconic bottle design and the brand’s 1991 “Be Like Mike” campaign.

EMAIL: agarcia@ksat.com