UCLA Kid Captain Leonard | Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA

1,767 views · Published 12 March 2015 · 2:51 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: UCLA Health · 2015 · Science & Technology

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You think you know basketball? If you’re hanging out with Leonard, you should think again. Leonard is an avid basketball fan from across all spectrums, from pick-up games to the NBA. Despite being born with Sotos syndrome, he plays basketball with regular kids and “continues to push the envelope for special needs kids,” says his mom. 

When Leonard was diagnosed with T-cell Leukemia in December 2012, the many basketball DVDs he received from friends and family, Sports Center, and a visit from the UCLA Men's Basketball Team kept his spirits up. “If I could be anything I want to be,” Leonard says, “I would be a basketball player for the UCLA team and the Oklahoma City Thunders.” He “never complains” throughout the treatment process, and he loves talking basketball with his doctors.

Leonard is UCLA Athletics’ Kid Captain and will received the game ball on January 31st. 

Learn more at https://www.uclahealth.org/Mattel/leonard.aspx

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