If anyone could say that they have had a full life, it is Lisa Leslie.
When it comes to basketball, she can say that she has excelled at practically every level that counts. Her original stomping ground was at USC, where she was Naismith Player of the Year. Then, she transitioned to being an integral part of the historic 1996 US Olympic team that steamrolled their way to the gold medal in Atlanta. Leslie and that team made it possible for the launch of the WNBA in 1997.
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She was part of the inaugural class and allocated to the Los Angeles Sparks. With the Sparks, Leslie was catapulted into the national spotlight, with her mixture of athletic intensity and feminine elegance. She led LA to two WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002. She also was the first WNBA player to dunk in a game.
Along the way, Leslie carved out a place in the broader popular culture, able to venture into areas previously foreign to women’s basketball players. In addition to modeling, she made guest appearances on television programs such as Martin, Moesha and Sister, Sister that broadened her horizons and that of the league itself.
Eventually, in her post-playing career, Leslie has served as a basketball analyst for multiple networks. She also coached in Ice Cube’s BIG3, leading her team to the 2019 championship.
She appears to have done it all, with the notable exception of being a head coach in the WNBA. That’s a role she has earned and deserves, and it is hard to believe that coaching in the W hasn’t been in the cards.
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In an ideal world, the timing could be perfect for Leslie to have that chance.
On Wednesday, the WNBA world was thrown for a loop when it was reported that New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello was let go from her position—just one year after she helped lead the Liberty to a WNBA championship. The search is now on her for a new coach in New York. Names have been thrown around, but Leslie’s name hasn’t been mentioned among projected candidates, except by fans on social media.
With all she has achieved, Leslie has the pedigree necessary to be in charge of a WNBA team; if not a head coach, at least an assistant coach. Obviously, her success on the court and work on television gives her a bird’s-eye view of what it takes to do well in the game of basketball.
Critics will legitimately contend that she doesn’t have real experience coaching five-on-five, which is true, as the BIG3 is a three-on-three league. Then, there is the tendency of WNBA teams to prioritize candidates with extensive experience as an assistant and or head coach.
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Still, a team should at least try to bring on Leslie in some capacity as a coach, whether as an assistant or working in the realm of player development, potentially leading up to a head coaching role. Yes, Leslie revealed earlier this year on Angel Reese’s podcast, Unapologetically Angel, that she had applied for a head coaching position with two WNBA teams, but ultimately was rejected. As a result, she has made the choice to not pursue coaching in the league.
Perhaps, it just wasn’t meant to be. But it would have been nice if Leslie had that one chance. Certainly, she has embraced the role of mentor to players such as Reese, a role that allows her to help players grow their games without requiring her to draw up game plans, study film or chastise the referees. That in of itself is impactful.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to let go of the possibility of seeing one of greatest to ever play the game—a pioneer who helped get the WNBA up off the ground—on the sidelines providing her knowledge and expertise in the same vein as Brondello, Dawn Staley and Becky Hammon.
