NBA star Kawhi Leonard stole the spotlight with a brief, hilarious appearance in Drake's latest music video for 'Way 2 Sexy.' The cameo, part of the rapper's 'Certified Lover Boy' album rollout, has sparked widespread memes and reactions online. Leonard's deadpan shuffle in the background quickly became a viral sensation.
Kawhi Leonard, the two-time NBA champion and former Toronto Raptor, made an unexpected foray into pop culture with his cameo in Drake's music video for 'Way 2 Sexy,' the lead single from the rapper's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy. Released on September 3, 2021, the video features a series of eclectic scenes referencing popular movies, romance novels, and jazzercise videos, but Leonard's moment stands out for its sheer awkwardness.
In the clip, Leonard shuffles awkwardly in the background atop a massive white sand dune, initially blending into the scene alongside Drake, Young Thug, and Future. Midway through a choreographed sequence reminiscent of a Backstreet Boys video, the artists turn and point directly at Leonard for his close-up. The two-second shot captures his confusion and shock, turning him into an instant meme generator on Twitter.
Social media erupted with reactions. One user tweeted, "My mans Kawhi think you cute. He’s over there," while another compared him to "God in Bruce Almighty." William Lou noted, "Kawhi has only ever left the house to see Niagara Falls, to do Serge's cooking show and Drake's music video—he's a Raptor for life." Even NBA peers joined in, with Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal posting, "Tears 😂😂💪🏽💪🏽."
The appearance ties into Leonard's Toronto roots, as Drake hails from the city, and comes shortly after Leonard re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a four-year, $176.3-million contract. His summer off the court has been marked by this fun, low-key celebrity crossover, highlighting his reserved persona that fans adore.
