Lisa Leslie

Leslie has not limited her professional interests to basketball. Prior to the Olympics, she signed a contract with the prestigious Wilhelmina Models agency and has been featured in Vogue. She has also been a guest actor on several sitcoms, including Moesha and Sister, Sister.

In addition, after her mother experienced a breast cancer scare, Leslie became a spokesperson for breast cancer awareness and prevention. "Having that scare so close to home, I had to become more educated about it," she told Ebony. "I used to wear the pink ribbons but I did not really understand breast cancer." Now, she travels the country to speak on the topic, sometimes accompanied by her mother, and her public service announcements are shown on television and at sports arenas. "I've had a wonderful opportunity to reach a lot of people in innercity communities and just around the world," Leslie told Ebony. "A lot of people come up to me and say 'Thank you. I saw your public service announcement and I got checked and they found a lump. It was benign.' People have told me so many different stories about how they used to be afraid of [the exam]."

Whether its on the basketball court, on television or during public service activities, Leslie maintains a pioneering spirit wherever she ventures. The days when she swore she'd never see a basketball court are clearly behind her. Today, it is impossible to talk of the strides women have made in the sport without mentioning Leslie's name.