Lisa Leslie's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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, notable for her achievements in the WNBA. She made history as the first player to dunk in a WNBA game in 2002. After retiring from playing, Leslie transitioned into coaching, leading the Triplets in the BIG3 league. She has also served as a studio analyst for Orlando Magic broadcasts. Leslie is considered one of the WNBA's all-time greats, evidenced by her ranking on ESPN.com's list of the WNBA's greatest players.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: California State Championship

In 1989, Lisa Leslie, as a sophomore, led her high school team to the California state championship.

1990: High School Scoring 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, leading her team to a state championship.

1991: World University Games Gold Medal

In 1991, Lisa Leslie competed at the World University Games in Sheffield, England, averaging 13.0 points per game and helping the USA team win the gold medal.

1991: All-Pac-10 Recognition and National Freshman of the Year

In 1991, Lisa Leslie was honored with All-Pac-10 recognition and became the first player in Pac-10 history to earn first team all four years and earn the Pac-10 Rookie of the Year award and was also honored as the national freshman of the year.

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 Awards

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 and Scoring Record

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

1996: Olympic Gold Medal

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

June 21, 1997: WNBA Debut and First Double-Double

On June 21, 1997, Lisa Leslie made her WNBA debut in a game against the New York Liberty, recording 16 points and 14 rebounds, achieving 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 an 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 and that year, she helped the Sparks win a WNBA title.

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

In 2002, Lisa Leslie made history as the first player to dunk during a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) game.

2002: FIBA World Championship

In 2002, Lisa Leslie won a FIBA World Championship playing for USA Basketball in international competition.

2004: Led U.S. Team in Scoring

During the 2004 Olympic Games, Lisa Leslie led the U.S. team in scoring.

2004: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Lisa Leslie won an Olympic gold medal playing for USA Basketball in international competition.

2005: First WNBA All-Star Game Dunk

In the 2005 WNBA All-Star Game, Lisa Leslie became the first WNBA player to dunk in an all-star game.

2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Lisa Leslie won an Olympic gold medal playing for USA Basketball in international competition.

August 11, 2009: 6,000 Career Points

On August 11, 2009, Lisa Leslie became the first player to score 6,000 points in a career.

2011: Top 15 WNBA Players

In 2011, Lisa Leslie was voted by fans as one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history.

2015: Hall of Fame Inductions

In 2015, Lisa Leslie was inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

2016: WNBA Top 20@20

In 2016, Lisa Leslie was voted into the WNBA Top 20@20, in celebration of the league's 20th anniversary.

2019: BIG3 Championship

In 2019, after becoming coach of the Triplets, Lisa Leslie led the team to the BIG3 Championship.

July 15, 2021: Leslie becomes honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha

On July 15, 2021, Lisa Leslie was initiated as an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

2021: Ranked Among WNBA's Greatest

In 2021, Lisa Leslie was ranked 5th on ESPN.com's list of the WNBA's greatest players of all time.

2023: USC Record Surpassed

In 2023, Rayah Marshall surpassed Lisa Leslie's USC single season record for blocked shots (95) by achieving 98.

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