On this day in 1972, WNBA icon Lisa Leslie was born
At 6'5", according to the WNBA, the former Los Angeles Sparks center is considered to be "one of the most dynamic, popular female basketball players in the world."
FILE - Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie, left, and the New York Liberty's Rebecca Lobo battle for rebound position during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Inglewood, Calif. The NBA recognized the popularity of the women's game with the league's Board of Governors approving plans to start a new pro basketball league in the summer of 1997. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
WNBA icon Lisa Leslie was born on July 7, 1972. The California native began playing basketball in sixth grade and led Morningside High School to two state championships. Leslie was also a member of the University of Southern California’s women’s basketball team.
At 6’5″, according to the WNBA, the former Los Angeles Sparks center is considered to be “one of the most dynamic, popular female basketball players in the world.” She was also a leading member of Team USA’s gold-medal-winning Olympic team in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008.
FILE- In this Aug. 31, 2002, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks’ Lisa Leslie kisses her MVP trophy and holds up the championship trophy after the Sparks beat New York Liberty, 69-66, to win Game 2 of the WNBA Finals and take the championship in Los Angeles. Leslie will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson, File)
In 2001, the former Wilhelmina Agency model won WNBA’s first regular season MVP, All-Star MVP and WNBA Finals MVP titles. She currently covers women’s basketball for the sports channel ESPN.
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC.
