Considered today as one of the best players in the league, Toronto Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard recently looked back on his journey towards the heights he has reached today.

Speaking to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Leonard expressed his appreciation towards Washington Wizards veteran swingman Trevor Ariza, who according to Kawhi, has had a tremendous impact on his growth as a player.

As an incoming sophomore for San Diego State University back in 2010, Leonard got wind that Ariza — then already an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers — would be working out on campus. Kawhi saw to it that he would be able to work out with Ariza, in what would turn out to be a pivotal moment in Leonard's young career.

“Trevor was big for me in college,” Leonard said. “Playing against him, I just felt like I held my own at the time.

“I probably won a game. I don't remember. … [but] I was fortunate he would let me work out with him.”

This experience was actually also a memorable one for Ariza, as he was provided with a glimpse of how great this young kid would eventually turn out to be.

“Man, my first impression of him was, ‘This kid is here to work, period,'” Ariza told ESPN with a laugh. “No matter what.”

“I prided myself on being there first person in all the time,” Ariza said. “And, when I got there, he was already there. He'd done everything he needed to do, and he was ready to work out again. … When I saw the work ethic he had, I knew he was going to be special.”

Ariza was a hundred percent right. Now, Kawhi is not only a top 5 player in the league today, but could well be on his way to amazingly toppling the dynasty of the Golden State Warriors.