Lisa Leslie is not done with basketball — not even close. Years after hanging up her sneakers, one of the greatest players to ever grace the court is now channeling her passion for the game into something just as powerful: mentorship. Through her work with the Unrivaled league, Leslie has found a new way to shape the future of women’s basketball, one player at a time.
What makes this chapter of her career especially compelling is how naturally it has unfolded. What began as casual connections has grown into meaningful, established mentorship relationships that are already making a difference for the next generation of stars.
Lisa Leslie Finds a New Purpose With the Unrivaled League
Leslie retired from professional women’s basketball in 2009, leaving behind a legacy that includes three WNBA MVP titles and a Hall of Fame induction. However, rather than step away from the sport entirely, she found her way back through the Unrivaled league, first as a color commentator and now as so much more.
Now in her second season as a commentator for the league, Leslie has gone well beyond offering takes on gameplay. She has made herself a constant, available presence — showing up at the league’s premier facilities and offering real guidance to players who are still finding their footing. “I just feel really blessed to be able to sit there and be a part of it, the small piece that I contribute, to just watch these women progress,” Leslie said.
Mentoring Angel Reese, Dominique Malonga, and Monique Billings
Among the players Leslie has publicly worked with are Angel Reese, Dominique Malonga, and Monique Billings. Each relationship tells a slightly different story, but the common thread is the same — young players seeking greatness and finding a willing guide in Leslie.
Her bond with Monique Billings, in particular, has drawn attention. Billings has described the relationship as nothing short of incredible. “It’s been incredible the way that that woman pours into me, pours into us,” Billings shared. “Nine-year-old me freaks out.” That kind of impact speaks volumes about what Leslie brings to these interactions — not just basketball knowledge, but genuine, heartfelt investment in each player’s growth.
As for Angel Reese, Leslie has been equally intentional. “With Angel — just another player who was like, ‘I want to get better. I want you to help me.’ And that’s what I did,” Leslie explained. She added that the desire has to come from the player first, noting, “you can tell the way that they show up, you know, when they text, they call, they want to do more.”
Building Confidence Is at the Core of Leslie’s Mentorship Philosophy
Beyond the technical side of basketball, Leslie is just as focused on the mental and spiritual wellbeing of the players she works with. Having lived through the pressures that female athletes face — both on and off the court — she understands exactly what these women are up against, and she takes that seriously.
“That’s important to me, to make sure that they’re spiritually strong and just feel confident in themselves. It is important to help them mentally as well, because they’re dealing with a lot,” Leslie said. For her, confidence is not just a nice-to-have — it is the foundation everything else is built on.
Notably, as the first woman to dunk in a professional basketball game, Leslie also passes on that literal skill to players who are working toward it. But even that comes back to the bigger picture: showing players what is possible when they believe in themselves enough to push past limits.
Paying It Forward — How Leslie Is Expanding Her Legacy Beyond the Court
Leslie is clear about why she shows up for these players the way she does. It is not just personal passion — it is a sense of responsibility to the game itself. “I want to make sure that as a role model, I’m giving back, paying it forward, and being of service to these players. We owe that to the game,” she said.
That philosophy reflects a deep understanding of how progress works in women’s sports. The players who came before laid the groundwork, and now it falls on those same players to help the next generation build higher. Leslie sees herself as a bridge between those two worlds — honoring the past while actively investing in the future.
Furthermore, she sees today’s players as uniquely positioned to carry that torch forward. “That’s the beautiful thing about arriving now, because [today’s players] understand what the past is and how we’ve helped build this. They’re building now for the future — for these little girls that are watching now,” Leslie reflected.
What Lisa Leslie’s Role in Unrivaled Means for Women’s Basketball
The Unrivaled league has quickly become more than just a place for elite players to compete during the WNBA offseason. With figures like Lisa Leslie involved, it is evolving into a genuine development space — one where legacy and mentorship are treated as just as important as the game on the floor.
Leslie’s presence at the Unrivaled championship game on March 4, where she took on commentary duties, was a fitting symbol of everything she represents right now. She was not just calling the game — she was cheering on players she has personally poured into, watching the results of that investment play out in real time.
Ultimately, what Leslie is doing in this chapter of her career is something the sport has always needed more of: former greats staying connected, staying engaged, and making sure the women coming up behind them have the support and guidance to go even further.
