Lisa Leslie (2005) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Lisa Leslie

Induction:
2005
Class:
1994

Lisa Leslie ranks among the best big players in women’s basketball history. After a stellar prep career at nearby Morningside High where she once scored 101 points in the first half of a game, the 6-5 Leslie came to USC and became one of the program’s greatest players and most recognized ambassadors. She was a 4-year All-Pac-10 first teamer (1991-94), a feat unprecedented in league history, and a 3-time (1992-94) All-American, including a unanimous choice as the 1994 Naismith National Player of the Year. As a freshman in 1991, she led the nation in scoring and rebounding while earning NCAA Freshman of the Year honors. She had 2,414 points and 1,214 rebounds in her career. Her 321 blocked shots set a USC career record, and she ranked in the school’s Top 5 in career field goals, free throws, scoring average, rebounding average and steals. She then starred on the international and professional stages. She led the U.S. to the gold medal in the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics and 2 FIBA World Championships. She was an 8-time All-WNBA performer for the Los Angeles Sparks (she played on a pair of WNBA championship squads and was the WNBA’s MVP 3 times). She was the first player to dunk in a WNBA game. She was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She won an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2019 and in 2016 she was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team. She also has been a model, actor, television sports commentator and realtor.