It seems like just yesterday, Lisa Leslie drove down the lane and threw down the 1st ever dunk in WNBA history. Now, we celebrate her as joins 10 other elite basketball legends in the Naismith Memorial Hall Fame Class of 2015!
The announcement came in a press release by the Hall of Fame earlier this week The prestigious ceremony will take place on Sept 10-12th at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA with a full weekend of activities surrounding the induction. In an interview with the Associated Press, Lisa expressed her shock at the news of her selection:
“I always thought you had to be much older to get in…I’m really honored, though, to be chosen among so many elite athletes and coaches. It’s nothing I really ever planned for or thought about.”
Other members of this year’s class are: Kentucky coach John Calipari, Spencer Haywood, longtime referee Dick Bavetta, Celtics star Jo Jo White and Boston coach Tom Heinsohn, four-time NBA defensive player of the year Dikembe Mutombo, former coach George Raveling, ex-Kentucky and ABA star Louis Dampier, Australian player and coach Lindsay Gaze and the late John Isaacs.
Lisa retired in 2009 after playing 13 years in the league, leaving as a 2X WNBA Champ with the LA Sparks, and 3X League MVP. She is also a 4X gold medalist with Team USA, and it is with the gold medal win in 1996 that helped Lisa and other members jump-start the now 19yr old WNBA.
It’s been years since the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) has left the game, and her name is still holds weight as perhaps the greatest WNBA player and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. What she and the inaugural class of the WNBA did for the sport is immeasurable, and fans and players are forever indebted to her for her contributions, talent, and grace. Congratulations Lisa!
For event and ticket information, click here.
