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Lisa Leslie
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000, 2004)
- 1998, 2002 World champion; 2002 World Championship MVP leading U.S. squad in scoring and rebounding
- U.S. all-time leading scorer (407), rebounder (185), shot blocker (25) in three Olympic Games
- Is the U.S. all-time World Championship leader in points (393), rebounds (190) and ranked second in blocked shots (17)
- Represented U.S. on 14 national teams, won 10 gold medals, one bronze
- Became the first player to dunk in a WNBA game and reach 3,000 point plateau (2002)
- Won triple MVP in 2001 – earning All-Star, WNBA and championships MVP honors; earned All-Star and championships MVP honors in 2002
- Led Los Angeles Sparks to back-to-back WNBA championships (2001-02)
- Signed a modeling contract with Wilhemina Models, Inc. in June 1996; modeled for Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Gigi Hunter, Anne Klein
- Intends to spend time in broadcasting field after basketball career is over; has done color commentary for several University of Southern California basketball games, as guest correspondent on NBA Inside Stuff and ESPN
- Presented with 1999 ‘Young Heroes Award’ from Big Sisters Guild of Los Angeles for her work with foster children
- In 1998, dedicated the Lisa Leslie Sports Complex, which included a 42,000-square foot court with 12 baskets, to Morningdale High School, her former school
- Completed degree in communications from USC in 1997
- Woman she most admires is her mother, Christine Leslie-Espinoza, a retired cross-country truck driver
- Has two sisters and four half-brothers…favorite meal is Penne Pasta and Marinara sauce
Leslie became one of only seven other women’s basketball Olympians after competing in the 2004 Olympic Games to have competed in three consecutive Olympics. She joined the ranks with teammates Dawn Staley (1996-2004) and Sheryl Swoopes (1996-2004), Anne Donovan (1980-1988), Teresa Edwards (1984-2000) and Katrina McClain (1992-2000). “It's an amazing thing to represent your country like this, knowing you've stayed on top of your game and are among the top players in the world. It's great to represent your city and state in the WNBA, but to put on the red, white and blue ... I'm proud to say I'm an American and to be able to play for my country for this long. Honestly, being chosen by my country.”
Related Links:
Q&A: Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley on the 2004 Olympics
Q&A: Lisa Leslie on being 'old school' and dunking
On whether there might be another Olympic appearance at the 2008 Games: “I feel I'm young enough, and that I haven't peaked as a player. But it's hard for me to think about suiting up without Dawn and Sheryl. When there was a question as to whether Sheryl would play due to her knee problems, I literally ran over and hugged her when I saw her at the airport. I just told myself that everything was definitely going to be alright with her there."
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Height: 6’ 5
Born: 7/7/1972
Hometown: Hawthorne, Calif.
Resides: Inglewood, Calif.
Sport: Basketball
Event: Women's Basketball
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