--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I could have gone to a bigger school. I…" description: "\"I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as motivation going to a school that loved me. I wanted to put them on the map and show everyone that yo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/kawhi-leonard-7933_go_i-could-have-gone-to-a-bigger-school-i-u_2655834.jpg" --- # I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as… ![“I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as motivation going to a school that loved me. I wanted to put them on the map and show everyone that you don't need to go to a top school to make it in the NBA.” quote by Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/kawhi-leonard-7933_go_i-could-have-gone-to-a-bigger-school-i-u_2655834.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/kawhi-leonard-7933_go_i-could-have-gone-to-a-bigger-school-i-u_2655834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/kawhi-leonard-7933_go_i-could-have-gone-to-a-bigger-school-i-u_2655834.jpg) > “I could have gone to a bigger school. I use it as motivation going to a school that loved me. I wanted to put them on the map and show everyone that you don't need to go to a top school to make it in the NBA.” [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He uses being overlooked by elite schools as motivation, proving success can come from less prestigious programs. **In simple terms:** Being underestimated fuels determination to succeed. Key Takeaway Leverage doubt as a catalyst for achievement. Themes motivation underdog success self-belief Mood determined inspired Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - college athletics - professional sports scouting - personal branding Key Concepts sports psychology career ambition resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn perceived setbacks into growth? - What strategies keep you focused on long‑term goals? A Different Perspective Not all talent is recognized early; external validation can be unreliable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bigger School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger-school-687566/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [Going School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-school/) [Gone Bigger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gone-bigger-2117216/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Map](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/map/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [School Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-make-570786/) ## Related quotes > [No, I don't think in that way. Being of the anonymous factor is to keep all the rock star cliche and the ego bullshit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-jordison/no-i-don-t-think-in-that-way-being-of-the-anonymous-factor-is-to-keep/) [Joey Jordison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-jordison/) > [Crohn's is the reason I didn't go to a bigger school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-nance-jr/crohn-s-is-the-reason-i-didn-t-go-to-a-bigger-school/) [Larry Nance, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-nance-jr/) > [School kids don't know the world is a million times bigger than school's version of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-dodd/school-kids-don-t-know-the-world-is-a-million-times-bigger-than/) [Sandra Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-dodd/) > [I moved out at 16 to live with my cousin and go to a bigger school with a drama program. Subconsciously, I think I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-escola/i-moved-out-at-16-to-live-with-my-cousin-and-go-to-a-bigger-school/) [Cole Escola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-escola/) > [I was confident in my ability. It's why I decided to walk on to a bigger school, in the Big 12: because I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baker-mayfield/i-was-confident-in-my-ability-it-s-why-i-decided-to-walk-on-to-a/) [Baker Mayfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baker-mayfield/) > [“It didn't take long to figure out I'll never go back to teaching public high school. Why would I, when I can make virtually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-hardy/it-didn-t-take-long-to-figure-out-i-ll-never-go-back-to-teaching/) [Nicole Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-hardy/) > [I was the kid at school who would make the joke about himself before anyone else did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sugg/i-was-the-kid-at-school-who-would-make-the-joke-about-himself-before/) [Joe Sugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sugg/) > [Drama school can't make you a brilliant actor, but you can do stuff for three years - you're not going to be fired. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/drama-school-can-t-make-you-a-brilliant-actor-but-you-can-do-stuff/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I mentioned charter schools, and experimenting with our school system, to make it work. I think that's something we really have to pay attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-mentioned-charter-schools-and-experimenting-with-our-school-system/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I went to a tiny little high school... I'd make my foray into Calgary if I wanted to see a movie or do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-durance/i-went-to-a-tiny-little-high-school-i-d-make-my-foray-into-calgary-if/) [Erica Durance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-durance/) > [I think everyone at school experiences some form of bullying. With kids at school, it can be anything - it can be your shoes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-corden/i-think-everyone-at-school-experiences-some-form-of-bullying-with/) [James Corden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-corden/) > [Eventually, to get through school, I would make good meaningless blobs if I had to. And so they thought I was falling in with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laffoley/eventually-to-get-through-school-i-would-make-good-meaningless-blobs/) [Paul Laffoley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laffoley/) > [You can make your own son or daughter one of a kind if you have the time and will to do so; school can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor-gatto/you-can-make-your-own-son-or-daughter-one-of-a-kind-if-you-have-the/) [John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/) > [If I was a principal of a school I'd make the school uniform onesies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-was-a-principal-of-a-school-i-d-make-the-school-uniform-onesies/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“This school is enough to make anyone a communist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-walton/this-school-is-enough-to-make-anyone-a-communist/) [Jo Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-walton/) ## More by Kawhi Leonard > [Not all water is great for you. I drink a lot of water during the day, but I stay away from certain waters because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/not-all-water-is-great-for-you-i-drink-a-lot-of-water-during-the-day/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I just try to play every game like it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-just-try-to-play-every-game-like-it-s-game-7-of-the-nba-finals/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I'm just happy that I get the opportunity to do the things on the court that I do in practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-just-happy-that-i-get-the-opportunity-to-do-the-things-on-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I don't care about winning an MVP - the MVP doesn't mean you're the best player in the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-don-t-care-about-winning-an-mvp-the-mvp-doesn-t-mean-you-re-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Playing football helped me a lot. Just reading the quarterback's eyes and reading receivers, figuring out what they want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/playing-football-helped-me-a-lot-just-reading-the-quarterback-s-eyes/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Everybody in the NBA works on their game. I just tried to follow that lead when I was in high school, college - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/everybody-in-the-nba-works-on-their-game-i-just-tried-to-follow-that/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I definitely don't like to eat a lot before I play. I don't like to play on a full stomach. Sometimes, if I'm feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-definitely-don-t-like-to-eat-a-lot-before-i-play-i-don-t-like-to/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [If I get noticed for my individual performance, that's what happens. Other than that, I'm just trying to win the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/if-i-get-noticed-for-my-individual-performance-that-s-what-happens/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I'm not out here just for the money. I want to be a great player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-m-not-out-here-just-for-the-money-i-want-to-be-a-great-player/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I rarely eat breakfast because of our schedule, actually. If I do, though, I'll try to do an egg-white omelet with some bell peppers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-rarely-eat-breakfast-because-of-our-schedule-actually-if-i-do/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [Coming in, I wanted to be a great player, and right now at the beginning of my career, I'm showing some slight sunshine that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/coming-in-i-wanted-to-be-a-great-player-and-right-now-at-the/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [It's just a great feeling, once you have a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/it-s-just-a-great-feeling-once-you-have-a-child/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I like the old-school muscle cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-like-the-old-school-muscle-cars/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I look at film, but more than watching individual players, I'm trying to watch a team's whole offensive scheme. I'm trying to know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-look-at-film-but-more-than-watching-individual-players-i-m-trying/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [I was good. I probably could have gone to the NFL. I just hated practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-was-good-i-probably-could-have-gone-to-the-nfl-i-just-hated-practice/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) [Explore all 86 Kawhi Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) ## More Go quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [I love going to Columbia, Missouri. That is a really underrated campus. 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They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [Unfortunately, we all go through bad phases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushmita-sen/unfortunately-we-all-go-through-bad-phases/) [Sushmita Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushmita-sen/) > [I go out there and I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/i-go-out-there-and-i-work/) [Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Racism is a cancer. You cannot ignore it and it'll go away. If you ignore cancer, it simply metastasizes and consumes the whole body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-davis/racism-is-a-cancer-you-cannot-ignore-it-and-it-ll-go-away-if-you/) [Daryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-davis/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [As much as you want to improve or help the team, as a centre-back your job is to go under the radar and keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrone-mings/as-much-as-you-want-to-improve-or-help-the-team-as-a-centre-back-your/) [Tyrone Mings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrone-mings/) > [I don't know what successful journaling really looks like... 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