Bold statement: Lisa Leslie is turning mentorship into a cornerstone of Unrivaled, giving a whole new generation of players not just tips, but a trusted path to greatness. But here’s where it gets controversial… is one veteran's guidance and a high-profile presence enough to shift an entire league’s culture? And this is the part most people miss: real impact comes from consistent, hands-on investment beyond paychecks and headlines.
Lisa Leslie, who proudly labels herself an auntie to the sport, is in her second season as a color commentator for the Unrivaled league’s broadcasts. A Naismith Hall of Famer and a lasting symbol of women’s basketball, she’s had a front-row seat to the game’s ongoing evolution. She describes the experience as a blessing and a chance to contribute a small piece to the growth of the sport she loves.
Her influence this season extends far beyond the microphone. The Unrivaled facility offers a wide range of amenities—weight rooms, saunas, on-site estheticians—and Leslie’s one-on-one sessions have become one of the most sought-after services. She has mentored and advised several frontcourt players, including Cameron Brink, Dominique Malonga, Ezi Magbegor, and Monique Billings. There’s also interest from Shakira Austin, whom Leslie mentored during Unrivaled’s inaugural season, and Kiki Iriafen, who has expressed a desire to train with her.
Leslie emphasizes that her role is about giving back and paying it forward to the game she loves. She’ll even be on hand to call Unrivaled’s championship game this Wednesday, underscoring how central her presence is to the league’s narrative.
An early moment underscores her impact: Billings, during the first week Leslie was in Miami, sought advice on 3-on-3 play. Leslie didn’t hesitate. “Take my number and let’s get in the gym,” she told her. Billings recalls replying, “Oh, OK, say less,” and they began training the next week. Though Leslie never played 3-on-3 in a formal league, she has never been unfamiliar with the format, having used it in the past to stay in shape and even playing 3-on-3 in 1995 for a Nike commercial with Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes.
Billings, a 29-year-old from Riverside, California, grew up idolizing Leslie and admits the chance to work with the Sparks legend feels surreal. She describes Leslie as someone who pours into her players, a feeling that makes the younger generation feel seen and inspired. Leslie herself set a clear challenge: Billings should aim for a double-double, breaking the goal into smaller targets—“three rebounds a quarter,” for instance.
In Billings’ most recent season with Unrivaled, she posted 14.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game over 14 games for Hive Basketball Club, a testament to the progress sparked by Leslie’s guidance.
Leslie’s mentorship isn’t limited to stat sheets. She has previously worked with Angel Reese and Shoregained players during Unrivaled’s inaugural season, reinforcing the idea that desire and willingness to grow are the key ingredients for improvement. She notes that players who reach out—whether through texts, calls, or in-person sessions—are the ones most ready to elevate their games.
Malonga, a 6-foot-6 French post, has looked to Leslie as a model of study and growth. During a Breeze Basketball Club practice, Leslie joined the session, and afterward, Malonga and Brink asked to train with her. Leslie praises Malonga’s high basketball IQ and work ethic, highlighting how their conversations have covered multiple facets of the game. Malonga says Leslie’s mindset—an emphasis on aggression and dunking—has helped her jump higher and attack with confidence. Leslie herself recalls learning to dunk during track practice, contrasting that with how today’s players connect dunking to the overall game.
Both Billings and Malonga describe Leslie as a throughline of presence—calm, composed, but unequivocally purposeful in her coaching. Billings appreciates the “aura” she brings: someone who knows who she is and is generous with advice, without needing to overtalk.
Beyond X’s and O’s, Leslie prioritizes mental strength and spiritual confidence. She believes that a strong inner foundation helps players navigate the pressures they face. Her proteges have echoed this sentiment, noting that Leslie’s encouragement fosters self-belief and resilience. When Billings enjoyed a stretch of double-doubles, Leslie’s praise reinforced the idea that the spark she helped ignite was real and lasting.
Leslie views her work as part of a long tradition: she looks up to former trailblazers such as Cheryl Miller, Ann Meyers, Nancy Lieberman, Teresa Weatherspoon, Katrina McClain, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, and Cynthia Cooper. She sees today’s players recognizing that the past built the stage for their ascent, and she believes they are now laying the groundwork for future generations of girls who will watch and dream.
For Billings and Malonga, Leslie is more than a coach—she’s a mentor who makes herself available for advice on and off the court. She wants these players to know that the door is always open, and that life’s bigger challenges deserve attention too. “Sometimes life is life-ing,” she says, emphasizing the importance of a safe space to talk through personal matters.
For Billings, the opportunity to learn from a sport pioneer is a milestone she never imagined reaching. It’s a blend of pride and privilege: a 9-year-old fan’s admiration continuing to shape her own professional journey two decades later.
Sean Hurd, a senior writer for Andscape, covers women’s basketball and brings this story full circle, illustrating how a single pillar of mentorship can ripple outward, empowering a generation to push the sport forward while honoring its history.
