“Kawhi Leonard dead 2026” : the NBA Championship 2019 winner killed by internet death hoax

News of basketball player Kawhi Leonard’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the winner of the NBA Championship 2019 is alive and well.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Kawhi Leonard death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the basketball player’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Kawhi Leonard’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American basketball player’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), our beloved basketball player Kawhi Leonard passed away. Kawhi Leonard was born on June 29, 1991 in Los Angeles. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 34-year-old basketball player was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a basketball player of Kawhi Leonard's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that 61% still think false Kawhi Leonard death rumors are funny.

Kawhi Leonard Death Hoax Dismissed Since Basketball player Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Thursday (March 19) the basketball player's reps officially confirmed that Kawhi Leonard is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved basketball player. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Celebrity Central