Sparks’ Lisa Leslie, teammates estatic about tribute sendoff
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In what eventually became a Sparks’ 90-61 victory over the Minnesota Lynx, center Lisa Leslie was given a 30 minute pre-game tribute to capture her storied 13-year career in the WNBA.
A video featured testimonials from members of the Sparks, opponents and league officials about her. There was another video highlighting her accomplishments with Morningside High, USC and the Sparks.
The 13,764 at Staples Center featured Lakers standout Magic Johnson, Sparks Coach Michael Cooper, former USA basketball teammate Dawn Staley, USA basketball officials, league officials, the current teams at Morningside High and USC and her family.
Leslie was presented lifetime courtside seats to Sparks games, a framed USA basketball jersey, framed photos with messages from Sparks teammates and gold Nike shoes.
It made for a night that had many wax nostalgic about her career after the game. That included Cooper and Leslie’s teammates sharing their favorite moments about the ceremony.
Leslie: “The gold shoes are pretty hot. They were heavy. I was thinking are these real gold? I have four gold medals, but those felt pretty good. That was pretty cool. Then all the pictures signed by my teammates. That’s pretty cool. Everything’s cool right now. I don’t know any other word to describe the feeling other than I’m excited to have this opportunity to be a role model. I’ve won so many awards but the rewards have been even bigger. That is to be a role model for so many people.”
Cooper: “It was great to see Magic finally come out. We’ve been talking to him all these years. It took her leaving for him to come. Anything to get him out here to appreciate our game.”
Sparks forward Tina Thompson: “One of the funniest moments was when they brought out the contract for [Leslie’s two year-old daughter} Lauren. That’s smart. They’re putting their bids in really quickly. So many of those moments, I had seen or had been a part of so it was definitely good to take your mind back to those memories and things like that. I thought it was an awesome ceremony and everything everyone said about Lisa totally rings true and is very consistent with who she is.”
Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones: “It was rather touching to me when I saw Dawn Staley come here and surprise Lisa. She told me she was going to be coming and Lisa didn’t know. I knew that would be a special moment. To see people pay homage to her from USA basketball, to the WNBA, to high school and college, that’s spectacular. The gold shoes were hot.”
--Mark Medina