Lisa Leslie: A Career Retrospective
11 September 2009
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
She was 12. Already five years into her childhood dream of becoming a TV weather reporter and model. She loathed the idea of strangers bugging her about whether or not she played sports - let alone basketball.
But that same year, Lisa Leslie picked up a ball for the very first time. And she’s yet to put it down.
Until right about now.
The Los Angeles Sparks have once again clinched a spot in the WNBA playoffs. And whether they go down swinging in the Western Conference's opening round or ride off into the sunset as WNBA Champions, the 2009 season will be Lisa's last.
She was 14 when her goals changed. Notice the word choice: goals. Not dreams. See, Lisa still dreams of being on TV - continuing her career as a commentator and actress. And she’s already accomplished that whole modeling thing, stalking runways with the delicate beauty and effortless grace of a ballet dancer. Chalk that one up to Lisa’s competitive, worldly spirit: she’s always refused to be pigeonholed by her athletic blessings and what she’s capable of between the white lines of the basketball court.
To be honest, 94 feet of hardwood was never going to be enough for a girl who stood 6’0” in sixth grade and looks at the world as a “glass-is-overflowing” playground of limitless possibility.
Back to that once-upon-a-time goal change.
When Lisa was 14 she decided to become the best female basketball player in the world. A laundry list of accolades later, it’s safe to say Lisa put a check mark next to that one on her long-term list:
High School
University of Southern California
WNBA
Olympics
She’s been called the female Michael Jordan. And as the first player to dunk in a WNBA game, she knows a little about rarified air.
She’s a proud mother who took a year off at the height of her on-court prowess (2006 WNBA MVP) to have a child in 2007. And then busted ass to get back in shape and claim her record-setting fourth straight gold medal the following spring, capping off an undefeated (32-0) Olympic career.
Always a passionate competitor; forever a lady.
The WNBA and the world of basketball begin to say goodbye to Lisa at the Staples Center on September 11, 2009.
And she says hello once again to the great big world at large.
Where does Lisa Leslie rank in the pantheon of all-time athletes? Become a fan of Nike Basketball on Facebook or follow nikebasketball on Twitter to drop some knowledge.
- Lisa Leslie
She was 12. Already five years into her childhood dream of becoming a TV weather reporter and model. She loathed the idea of strangers bugging her about whether or not she played sports - let alone basketball.
But that same year, Lisa Leslie picked up a ball for the very first time. And she’s yet to put it down.
Until right about now.
The Los Angeles Sparks have once again clinched a spot in the WNBA playoffs. And whether they go down swinging in the Western Conference's opening round or ride off into the sunset as WNBA Champions, the 2009 season will be Lisa's last.
She was 14 when her goals changed. Notice the word choice: goals. Not dreams. See, Lisa still dreams of being on TV - continuing her career as a commentator and actress. And she’s already accomplished that whole modeling thing, stalking runways with the delicate beauty and effortless grace of a ballet dancer. Chalk that one up to Lisa’s competitive, worldly spirit: she’s always refused to be pigeonholed by her athletic blessings and what she’s capable of between the white lines of the basketball court.
To be honest, 94 feet of hardwood was never going to be enough for a girl who stood 6’0” in sixth grade and looks at the world as a “glass-is-overflowing” playground of limitless possibility.
Back to that once-upon-a-time goal change.
When Lisa was 14 she decided to become the best female basketball player in the world. A laundry list of accolades later, it’s safe to say Lisa put a check mark next to that one on her long-term list:
High School
- 2 California State Championships
- 101 points in a single game
University of Southern California
- 4 Consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
- Graduated as the all-time Pac-10 leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots
WNBA
- 2 League Championships (2001, 2002)
- First player to be named regular season, All-Star Game and playoff MVP (2001)
Olympics
- 4-time Gold Medal Winner (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
- First team sport athlete to win four consecutive Gold Medals
She’s been called the female Michael Jordan. And as the first player to dunk in a WNBA game, she knows a little about rarified air.
She’s a proud mother who took a year off at the height of her on-court prowess (2006 WNBA MVP) to have a child in 2007. And then busted ass to get back in shape and claim her record-setting fourth straight gold medal the following spring, capping off an undefeated (32-0) Olympic career.
Always a passionate competitor; forever a lady.
The WNBA and the world of basketball begin to say goodbye to Lisa at the Staples Center on September 11, 2009.
And she says hello once again to the great big world at large.
Where does Lisa Leslie rank in the pantheon of all-time athletes? Become a fan of Nike Basketball on Facebook or follow nikebasketball on Twitter to drop some knowledge.
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