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WATCH: Why Lisa Leslie matters, now more than ever

By Arielle Chambers

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Lisa Leslie #9 of the Los Angeles Sparks poses for a portrait during the 2009 NBAE Circuit as part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 13, 2009 at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER:User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images).
PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Lisa Leslie #9 of the Los Angeles Sparks poses for a portrait during the 2009 NBAE Circuit as part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 13, 2009 at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER:User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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“Tina Thompson, Katie Smith both of them well deserved…one thing I can say about most of the women I’ve played with: we worked hard, we showed up, we didn’t take days off.”

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Leslie was a 2015 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Her career included, but was not limited to, being an eight-time WNBA All-Star, three-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Champion and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist.  Upon her retirement, she held the record for the all-time leading rebounder in the league.  Her induction was both well-deserved and inevitable.

Three years later, her former teammates and peers, Tina Thompson and Katie Smith are getting inducted. Leslie’s days with Thompson date back to high school. “[Thompson is] a hard worker and she’s going to be successful in whatever she does. That’s just the way we’re made. We’re from LA, that’s what we do.”

(Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) /

Thompson’s career speaks for itself. The new University of Virginia Head Coach was the first ever draft pick in WNBA history, selected by the Houston Comets. Following her entrance into the League, Thompson and the Comets went to win four championships.  She was a nine-time all-star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, alongside Leslie.

As for Smith, Leslie says she’s a “hard worker and fierce on the court. You’d rather have her on your team knocking down threes than against you. I’ve experienced both.” Shooting was Smith’s strong suit; she became the first player to score 5000 points and had the record for most points in career history (until Diana Taurasi broke it in the 2017 season).  Smith also joined Leslie and Thompson, nabbing three Olympic gold medals.  After retiring in 2013 with the New York Liberty, Smith has stayed within the organization, most recently accepting the position as Head Coach.

(Photo by Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images) /

Leslie’s take on the new inductees, Thompson and Smith: “[they are] both well deserved.” The two will join other basketball legends as the 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class.

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