Kawhi Leonard says he knew the pilot on Kobe Bryant's doomed helicopter -- and had flown with him regularly -- even describing the guy as "one of the best."
The L.A. Clippers star opened up about his business relationship with Ara Zobayan during a media session after Wednesday's practice ... clearly still emotional about the tragedy.
"[I had] flown with him a lot," Leonard told reporters ... "Great guy. Super nice. He was one of the best pilots."
Leonard says Zobayan would often joke about how he was dropping off Kawhi and going to pick up Kobe .