Lisa Leslie's Firsts

Lisa Leslie is a championship on and off the court.

Lisa Leslie

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Lisa Leslie

Schoolin' off the Court  - Lisa Leslie’s success on and off the court began far before the WNBA. One of her success' main pillars is education. In 1994, she received her first degree in Communications from the University of Southern California. She would later continue her studies, receiving an MBA from University of Phoenix.  (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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Schoolin' off the Court  - Lisa Leslie’s success on and off the court began far before the WNBA. One of her success' main pillars is education. In 1994, she received her first degree in Communications from the University of Southern California. She would later continue her studies, receiving an MBA from University of Phoenix.  (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Golden Girl - Ending a fifteen year absence of professional women’s basketball in the United States, Leslie and eleven of the top women players formed the 1995-1996 National Team. They dominated on their international training tour and took the gold in the ‘96 Olympics, earning Leslie her first trip to the games and first gold medal.                            (Photo: Rick Stewart /Allsport)

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Golden Girl - Ending a fifteen year absence of professional women’s basketball in the United States, Leslie and eleven of the top women players formed the 1995-1996 National Team. They dominated on their international training tour and took the gold in the ‘96 Olympics, earning Leslie her first trip to the games and first gold medal.                            (Photo: Rick Stewart /Allsport)

Ripping the Runway  - After a record breaking collegiate career and gold medal-winning Olympic run, Leslie took advantage of her growing notoriety by delving into modeling. She signed her first modeling contract with Wilhemina Models in 1996. Her modeling career saw the 6-foot-5 beauty grace runways and the pages of top fashion magazines including Vogue and Glamour.  (Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

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Ripping the Runway  - After a record breaking collegiate career and gold medal-winning Olympic run, Leslie took advantage of her growing notoriety by delving into modeling. She signed her first modeling contract with Wilhemina Models in 1996. Her modeling career saw the 6-foot-5 beauty grace runways and the pages of top fashion magazines including Vogue and Glamour.  (Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

The WNBA's Inaugural Draft - After ousting competition in their 1996 Olympic appearance, the U.S. Women’s Basketball team had proven the sport’s viability in America. In 1996, the Women’s National Basketball Association was incorporated. Leslie was the number seven pick in the inaugural draft, becoming one of the league’s founding players. She began playing with the Los Angeles Sparks in January 1997.          (Photo: Elsa Hasch /Allsport)

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The WNBA's Inaugural Draft - After ousting competition in their 1996 Olympic appearance, the U.S. Women’s Basketball team had proven the sport’s viability in America. In 1996, the Women’s National Basketball Association was incorporated. Leslie was the number seven pick in the inaugural draft, becoming one of the league’s founding players. She began playing with the Los Angeles Sparks in January 1997.          (Photo: Elsa Hasch /Allsport)

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MVP - In 2001, Leslie continued to build on her pioneer status. After leading the Los Angeles Sparks to a 28-4 regular season record, they claimed their first WNBA Championship. Coming off of a milestone year, Leslie was also the first player in league history to capture all three MVP awards (regular season, postseason and All-Star) in the same season.                                (Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

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MVP - In 2001, Leslie continued to build on her pioneer status. After leading the Los Angeles Sparks to a 28-4 regular season record, they claimed their first WNBA Championship. Coming off of a milestone year, Leslie was also the first player in league history to capture all three MVP awards (regular season, postseason and All-Star) in the same season.                                (Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

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The Dunk - On July 12, 2002, in a game against the Miami Sol, Leslie became the first player ever to dunk in the WNBA. Ten years later, her one-handed throw down is still revered as one of the most monumental moments in WNBA history.  (Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/NBAE/Getty Images)

Family First  - On June 15, 2007, Leslie and her husband, Michael Lockwood, gave birth to her first child, Lauren Jolie Lockwood. Her pregnancy would mean taking a sabbatical from the game but she got back into shape, returning to the game the following year. She has since given birth to her second child, Michael Joseph Lockwood II.                  (Photo: Francis Specker /Landov)

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Family First  - On June 15, 2007, Leslie and her husband, Michael Lockwood, gave birth to her first child, Lauren Jolie Lockwood. Her pregnancy would mean taking a sabbatical from the game but she got back into shape, returning to the game the following year. She has since given birth to her second child, Michael Joseph Lockwood II.                  (Photo: Francis Specker /Landov)

More Than the Game  - In 2008, Leslie added author to her résumé with the release of her first book, Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You. In the book, she chronicles her journey from South Central Los Angeles to international champion and highlights her remarkable life off the court.                                         (Photo: Dafina Publishing)

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More Than the Game  - In 2008, Leslie added author to her résumé with the release of her first book, Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You. In the book, she chronicles her journey from South Central Los Angeles to international champion and highlights her remarkable life off the court.                                         (Photo: Dafina Publishing)