![]() ![]() When the WNBA was established in the summer of 1997, Leslie, along with Sheryl Swoopes and Rebecca Lobo, became the faces of the new league. She worked with major fashion designers like Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, and Anne Klein. In the process, she set a record when she scored 35 points in one game.Īfter the Olympics, rather than return overseas, Leslie began modeling professionally. Leslie then made the 1996 Olympic team and helped lead the team to a gold medal. She joined Sicilgesso, based in Alcamo, Italy, for the 1994-95 season. So, like many other college stars, Leslie signed with a team in the European women’s professional league. Leslie graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in communications.Īt the time, there were no opportunities for women to play professional basketball in the U.S. Leslie set Pac-10 conference records for scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots, and became the first player to make the first all-conference team in each of her four years. Leslie also received All-American honors for 1992, 1993, and 1994. She was named the 1991 National Freshman of the Year and the 1994 Naismith College Player of the Year. ![]() During her collegiate career, she led the team to an 89-31 overall record and four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Leslie attended the University of Southern California (USC). In her senior year, Leslie set a national record by scoring 101 points in the first half of a game, led her team to a second consecutive state championship, and won the Naismith Award, given to the nation’s top high school basketball player. The only high school player on the team, Leslie led the team in scoring and rebounding during the tournament. Junior National Team and traveled abroad for the first time to play in the World Championship Tournament in Spain. USA Today and Parade magazine named Leslie to their first-team high school All-America squads that year.Īt 16, Leslie made the U.S. She did just that when they defeated Fremont in a state championship rematch in 1989. ![]() Leslie played a great game, but she missed the final shot as time expired and Morningside lost by one point to Fremont High School. The crushing defeat made Leslie determined to lead her team to the championship the following year. In her sophomore year (1987-88), the team made it to the state championship game. Leslie went to Morningside High School and was named California’s “Freshman of the Year” after her first high school basketball season. The OGDL exposed Leslie to college basketball coaches and she received more than 100 college recruiting letters before even starting high school. Initially the boys refused to give her the ball, but after she intercepted a pass between two of her teammates and scored, they started shouting “give the ball to the girl!” She soon began playing in the Olympic Girls’ Development League, often competing against girls several years older. In eighth grade, Leslie joined a boys’ club team. Leslie’s cousin and uncle helped her train, teaching her the fundamentals and encouraging her to play a tough, physical style of basketball. That decision led her to become ambidextrous, a significant asset for a basketball player. The only left-handed player, Leslie did not like being on her own, so she vowed to learn to use her right hand for all basketball skills. On the first day of practice, the coach divided the players into right-handed and left-handed groups. When a classmate asked her to join the team, the shy Leslie decided to give it a try in hopes of making friends. Because of her height, people always assumed she'd play basketball, but she had no exposure to the sport before junior high school. While her mother was on the road, Leslie lived with other family members and, from a young age, cared for her baby sister, Tiffany.Īt 12 years old, Leslie already stood over six feet tall. Her mother, Christine Leslie-Espinoza, worked as a mail carrier and truck driver. Lisa Leslie was born on Jin Gardena, California and grew up in Compton. The first player to dunk in the WNBA, Leslie continues to make an impact in the sports world as a coach, team owner, commentator, and role model. An early star of the WNBA and a four-time Olympic gold medalist, Lisa Leslie is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. ![]()
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