Bold claim: A legendary mentor is shaping the next generation, turning talent into lasting greatness. And this is where a quiet revolution unfolds in women’s basketball.
Lisa Leslie, who proudly calls herself an auntie to the sport, is in her second season as a color commentator for the Unrivaled league’s broadcasts. As a Naismith Hall of Famer and an enduring icon of women’s basketball, she’s had a front-row seat to the game’s ongoing evolution and, more importantly, a growing role off the court: giving back to the players who inspire her, both on and off the floor.
Leslie describes her involvement as a meaningful, small piece of a larger transformation: watching these athletes progress and contributing what she can to help them grow. Yet her impact in this season extends far beyond the mic. The Unrivaled facility, with its weight rooms, saunas, and on-site estheticians, is also a hub for mentorship. One-on-one sessions with Leslie have become some of the most sought-after services among players, as they seek guidance that blends technique, mindset, and career advice.
Over the season, Leslie has mentored frontcourt players such as Cameron Brink, Dominique Malonga, Ezi Magbegor, and Monique Billings. She has also expressed a desire to work with Shakira Austin—whom she advised in Unrivaled’s inaugural year—and with Kiki Iriafen, who has shown interest in joining her training sessions.
Leslie emphasizes that her role as a veteran mentor is about paying it forward and serving the game. She’ll even call Unrivaled’s championship game, lending her expertise to a new era of players who are eager to learn.
A pivotal moment came when Billings, during the first week of Leslie’s Miami visit, asked for tips on 3-on-3 play. Leslie didn’t hesitate: she gave her number and said, let’s get in the gym. The next week, they began working together. Although Leslie hadn’t played formal 3-on-3 in a league, she brings a wealth of experience from previous 3-on-3 stints used to stay in shape and to push players physically.
Billings, a 29-year-old from Riverside, California, grew up watching the Sparks and collecting Leslie’s autographs. Now, sharing the court and lessons with the WNBA legend feels almost surreal. “It’s incredible how she pours into me and into us,” Billings says, admitting to her inner 9-year-old’s excitement. During her first Unrivaled season, Leslie challenged Billings to average a double-double, encouraging a breakdown like “three rebounds a quarter.” Billings finished the season with 14.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for Hive Basketball Club.
Leslie’s influence isn’t limited to technique. She and other former greats—Angel Reese, Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, and many others—blazed a path, and Leslie now consciously passes that torch forward. “The players who show up with desire—truly wanting to improve—are the ones who benefit most,” she notes. In Malonga’s case, Leslie has become not just a trainer but a catalyst for a dunking mindset. Malonga, 20, has already converted three in-game dunks this season, and Leslie motivates her to attack every rim opportunity.
Malonga describes the effect of Leslie’s presence as transformative: it makes her jump higher, increases her confidence, and cultivates an aggressive, unstoppable mindset. Likewise, Billings calls Leslie’s coaching style “businesslike” and “intense” in the best possible way, praising the aura of certainty and the willingness to give generously beyond the court.
Beyond X’s and O’s, Leslie emphasizes building mental resilience and spiritual strength. She believes confidence and inner conviction are just as crucial as coaching the mechanics of the game, acknowledging that players face significant pressures and personal challenges. Her mentees confirm the impact: Billings credits Leslie with sparking a wave of confidence and drive that fed her recent double-doubles, while Malonga notes that Leslie’s guidance extends into everyday life and decision-making.
Leslie situates her mentoring within a broader lineage of trailblazers who pressed the sport forward and handed the baton to the next generation. She cites Cheryl Miller, Ann Meyers, Nancy Lieberman, Teresa Weatherspoon, Katrina McClain, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, and Cynthia Cooper as part of a continuum that makes today’s players aware of the sport’s history and their responsibility to push it further. The goal is clear: today’s players learn, grow, and build the future for the young girls watching now.
Billings and Malonga now view Leslie not only as a coach but as a trusted mentor. Leslie invites them to reach out for advice—whether it’s basketball strategies or personal matters—emphasizing that the conversations are safe and confidential. For Billings, working with a pioneer of the sport is a profound source of pride and inspiration, a sensation she describes as a blessing and a privilege she once could only dream of.
In short, Leslie’s influence extends beyond wins and dunks. She is shaping character, confidence, and community within the sport—an enduring legacy that empowers the next wave of players to chase greatness with courage and clarity.
Would you agree that current players benefit most when legendary figures actively mentor them, or do you think this path could risk overshadowing rising talent? Share your thoughts in the comments.
