Lisa Leslie’s latest announcement shows why her influence still stretches far beyond basketball

It is another example of how former athletes are beginning to build deeper year-round connections with fans instead of relying solely on traditional appearances or media work. For Leslie, the move makes plenty of sense.

She has remained visible around women’s basketball long after retirement, whether through television appearances, mentoring younger players, or speaking publicly about the rapid growth of the WNBA. Now she is adding another layer to that presence with a platform aimed directly at fan engagement.

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Few players have a resume comparable to Lisa Leslie’s

The statue announcement also reopened conversations about just how important Leslie was to the early success of the WNBA. Before today’s era of sold-out arenas and viral highlights, Leslie helped establish the league’s mainstream credibility. She spent her entire 12-year WNBA career with the Sparks and became one of the faces of professional women’s basketball during the league’s formative years.

Her accomplishments still stand among the greatest in league history. Leslie captured three MVP awards, won two WNBA championships, earned eight All-Star selections, and collected two Finals MVP trophies during her career in Los Angeles. The Sparks eventually retired her No. 9 jersey after she finished with career averages of 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

That resume alone would have secured her basketball immortality. But what continues separating Leslie from many former stars is how active she remains in helping push the sport forward long after retirement. Thursday’s announcements show both sides of that story at once: honoring a legendary career while continuing to build something new around the game she helped elevate.

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