Before the Lisa Leslie WNBA years began, Leslie had remarkable high school and college careers in Los Angeles. Once she became pro, she was the first person to dunk in the WNBA. The Lisa Leslie dunk crystalized her place as the face of the new league and one of its most successful players. Her WNBA years will end after the 2009 season, Leslie recently announced.

The biography of Lisa Leslie will note that throughout her career she was able to play all three levels of basketball in her native Los Angeles. That career began in 1996 at Morningside High School in Inglewood just near the Los Angeles Lakers’ home, the Great Western Forum. She was a well-known player and was already being recruited by colleges before she began high school. During her sophomore year, the Lisa Leslie dunk was a normal sighting at any game. Her senior year brought her team to the State Finals with a season average of 27 points and 15 rebounds. That season, she was embroiled in controversy when her coach set her up to score over 105 points in a game against a lowly rival. By the time the other team forfeited, Leslie had 101 points in the first half. It was a move that was frowned upon.

The Lisa Leslie biography continues at the University of Southern California, which she chose to attend in 1990. During her four years there, Leslie played outstanding basketball, bringing the team into the NCAA Tournament all four years she played as their center. She was Rookie of the Year in 1991, an All-American three times and voted the National Player of the year as a senior. She managed to average 20 points per game, shooting over 53% on the way to being the first round pick of the Los Angeles Sparks when the WNBA formed in 1996.

Since her career began as the league began, the biography of Lisa Leslie follows the same trajectory as that of the WNBA. Since she was the high-scoring center for the very visible Los Angeles team, Leslie became the face of the league for many new viewers. She did not disappoint them. The Sparks, under Leslie, managed five straight playoff appearances before winning the championship in 2001 and another the next year. The was the league MVP three years, an All Star for 7 years, and will retire as the leading scorer in Sparks history and as the all-time rebound leader for the WNBA.

For many, though, Lisa Leslie will always be known as the first person to dunk in the WNBA. On July 30, 2002, Leslie received a long pass from teammate Latash Byears that left her alone with no interference between her and the basket. She rose up and dunked, letting her hand trail on the net. Even though the game ended in a loss to the Miami Sol and though she had dunked in pre-game warmups, this was the first dunk in the WNBA after six seasons.

Working at a company that produces electronic basketball scoreboards, Electro-Mech employees are fans (some fanatics) of a variety of team sports, with the WNBA being just one example. We make sure follow all the latest basketball news, trends, and, of course, the games. It is our passion and pleasure to share our knowledge and expertise with you on our favorite sports.