Lisa Leslie's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 11, 2025

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Lisa Leslie. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Lisa Leslie is a celebrated former professional basketball player, known for her groundbreaking dunk in a 2002 WNBA game. She also served as the head coach for Triplets in the BIG3 league and as a studio analyst for the Orlando Magic. In 2021, she was recognized as one of the WNBA's greatest players of all time, ranking fifth on ESPN.com's list, cementing her legacy in the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: California State Championship

In 1989, as the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Lisa Leslie led her high school team to the California state championship.

1990: Ties National Record

In 1990, Lisa Leslie tied the national record for points scored by a high school basketball player with Cheryl Miller, scoring 101 points in the first half of a game.

1991: World University Games

In 1991, Lisa Leslie was a member of the USA team competing at the World University Games held in Sheffield, England, helping the team win a gold medal.

1991: Awards and Recognition

In 1991, Lisa Leslie was the first player in Pac-10 history to obtain first team all four years and earn the Pac-10 Rookie of the Year award. Leslie also earned the national freshman of the year award.

1992: Jones Cup Gold Medal

In 1992, Lisa Leslie competed with USA Basketball as a member of the Jones Cup Team that won the Gold in Taipei.

1992: All-American Honors

In 1992, Lisa Leslie earned All-American Honors.

1993: All-American Honors

In 1993, Lisa Leslie earned All-American Honors.

1994: National Player of the Year

In 1994, Lisa Leslie won multiple national player of the year awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the USBWA Women's National Player of the Year award, the Honda Sports Award for basketball, and the WBCA Player of the Year award.

1996: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1996, Lisa Leslie won an Olympic gold medal playing for USA Basketball in international competition.

1996: Olympic Gold Medal and Scoring Record

In 1996, Lisa Leslie won an Olympic gold medal with the United States national women's basketball team and set an American Olympic women's scoring record with 35 points against Japan in the semifinals.

June 21, 1997: WNBA Debut

On June 21, 1997, Lisa Leslie made her WNBA debut in a game against the New York Liberty and recorded the first double-double in WNBA history.

1998: FIBA World Championship

In 1998, Lisa Leslie won a FIBA World Championship playing for USA Basketball in international competition.

2000: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2000, Lisa Leslie won another Olympic gold medal playing for USA Basketball in international competition.

2001: Sportswoman of the Year

In 2001, Lisa Leslie was named the 2001 Sportswoman of the Year (in the team category) by the Women's Sports Foundation.

July 30, 2002: First WNBA Dunk

On July 30, 2002, Lisa Leslie became the first woman to dunk the ball in a WNBA game.

2002: First WNBA Dunk and Other Milestones

In 2002, Lisa Leslie became the first player to dunk in a WNBA game. She also became the first WNBA player to score over 3,000 career points and contributed to the Sparks winning their second straight WNBA championship that season.