Growing up in South Central LA isn't easy, but being able to dunk a basketball can do wonders for your street cred - especially if you're a woman.
Lisa Leslie in action against Lauren Jackson of Australia in the women's basketball final at the Sydney Olympics on September 30, 2000, which the US won 76-54. The three-time Olympic gold medalist described beating the home team as her greatest victory at the Games. [Agencies]
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"I think people are fascinated about the fact that women can dunk and I like to do it too, I think it's exciting for the crowd," said three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie, while attending the ongoing Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament in Beijing, a pre-Olympic tune up.
She talks as if she's taken elocution lessons rather than sounding like a girl from Compton -- a fact not lost on Matt Groening when he cast her in an episode of The Simpsons in 2001, correcting Bart's English. But she brings a muscular street culture to the basketball court, and a dash of glamor.
Maybe that is why she has been cast on the last three US Olympic basketball teams, why she is a shoe-in for Beijing 2008, and why she has become the most famous female player on the planet.
"For me she brings a lot of confidence," said guard Katie Smith, her teammate at the last two Summer Games. "For me, it's knowing that she'll be ready every night to play. Will she make every shot? No. But she will do the things she needs to do to help win."
Head coach Anne Donovan was relieved at having her back on national duty last October for the USA College Tour after a lengthy break. She also skipped the 2007 WNBA season to have baby Lauren. But with the US bringing a young and inexperienced squad to Beijing this month, her country needs her now more than ever.
The Americans crumbled against Russia in the semifinals of the 2006 World Championships and fell to current world champs Australia on Saturday. After dismissing Cuba the next day, the US gave away an early lead to South Korea on Monday before humiliating the fiery Northeast Asians 92-56.
"The team we bring in August will be considerably different," said Donovan at the post-match press conference. "There's no doubt it's a tough road for us (to Olympic gold) because of the lack of training time."
In Monday's game, Leslie threw 60 percent from the field, went 4-of-4 on free throws and led in rebounds. She also partnered Sylvia Fowles for the first time, creating just the kind of chemistry the head coach wants to see come Olympic tip-off.
"It's a lot easier for me because we do the high-low and I come up high and throw the ball to her low," Leslie said. "She's one of the strongest players we've seen at the (No.) five in a long time, so it would be difficult to come here without her."
