American · Los Angeles, USA · Born 7 July 1972American basketball center and three-time WNBA MVP who dominated women's basketball, becoming the first player to dunk in a WNBA game and winning four Olympic g
Lisa Leslie was born in Los Angeles, California in 1972. Los Angeles Sparks selected her third overall in the inaugural 1997 WNBA Draft from USC. She won four Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008), three WNBA championships (2001, 2002) and three WNBA MVP awards (2001, 2004, 2006). She was the first player to dunk in a WNBA game — at the Staples Center on 30 July 2002. She was a 10-time All-Star and was named to the WNBA's All-Decade and 20th Anniversary teams. Her combination of height, athleticism and scoring from the post and mid-range set the standard for the WNBA centre position. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015 and is considered one of the five greatest WNBA players in league history.
First player to dunk in a WNBA game, dominant center who led Sparks to championships
How They Played
Dominant post player with excellent shooting range and shot-blocking ability
Lasting Impact
WNBA pioneer and Hall of Famer who helped establish women's professional basketball
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008
- WNBA Champion 2001, 2002
- WNBA MVP 2001, 2004, 2006
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Sparks | 1997–2009 | 324 |
American Athletes