Leslie Misses Graduation, but Not Experience

Morningside High held its graduation ceremonies Tuesday, but its most famous student, USC-bound Lisa Leslie, was absent as she spent the first part of last week in Cuba with the U.S. national women’s basketball team.

Leslie returned from the trip at 2 a.m. Thursday without a place on the U.S. team. Thirteen players went to Cuba for two exhibition games, but Leslie failed to make the final 12-player roster.

Undaunted, Leslie was practicing Thursday afternoon as a member of the Southern California girls’ team in preparation for the “Fabulous 44” high school all-star games, which is today at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center.

Despite being cut, Leslie emerged from the brief experience with the U.S. team with her confidence intact. She was, after all, the only member of the team who wasn’t a current or former college standout.

She left the team with first-hand proof that even the 1990 national high school player of the year needs a lot of work in order to effectively compete with the best women players.

“I played well and feel good about that,” Leslie said. “But it was an especially great experience because of what I learned about myself.”

U.S. Coach Theresa Grentz said the 6-foot-5 Leslie was often out-muscled under the boards by teammates in practice and by opponents in games. Leslie shared that view.

“I like the rough play, but I need to get stronger,” Leslie said. “I’m going to (lift) weights seriously for the first time, and I know that will help me.”

Leslie, who scored 101 points in half a game last season, knows that she will have to expand her repertoire of offensive skills.

“I can’t just turn around and shoot over people (in college),” Leslie said. “I’ll have to use more post moves, but I have the ability to do that and to play a fast-paced style game too.”

Grentz could have cut the team to 12 players before the Cuba trip, but Leslie said the coach took 13 to give the future Trojan more of an opportunity.

“She didn’t feel it would be fair to cut me (before the trip) because I wasn’t as experienced as the other players,” Leslie said. “She wanted to give me more of a chance.

“And I feel I did the best I could. After a year with Coach (Marianne) Stanley at USC, I’ll be ready to make the (U.S.) team.

“And in a few years, I should be able to dominate at that level. I don’t know how that sounds, but I’ll know be there.”