As a child Leslie didn't dream of becoming the world's most famous female hoopster. She told people she wanted to be a weather reporter. After being persuaded to try out for her junior high team, she went on to take state titles in both the high and triple jump at Morningside High.
Years later all those high jump meets paid off as she drew minutes of applause for performing the first-ever women's pro dunk with a one-handed effort against the Miami Sol, in 2002.
The second time she did it was even better, firing one off in the closing seconds of the WNBA all-star game in 2005. No doubt somebody, somewhere in Compton, fired off a few rounds in celebration at that one.
The three-time WNBA MVP has racked up over 5,000 career points, a feat unrivaled in the WNBA. She's even cool enough to get Punk'd, but disappointed Ashton Kutcher by laughing off a stunt involving a midget falling off a chair while trying to turn on a heater for her.
"The other waiter was blaming me because I'm so tall, like why didn't I help him, so that was pretty funny," the 1.96 m center said. "But it wasn't that funny because I never got angry. I'm not like that."
With three gold medals in the bag, the Vogue model with a master's in business is the one doing the laughing these days.
Leslie was a hit at Spartak Moscow when she ventured overseas in the 2005-2006 season, lured by Russian riches. But she was quickly welcomed back into the fold by the Los Angles Sparks upon her return.
At 35, and only 10 months after giving birth, she has joined the "Super Mom" club, alongside leading athletes like Lindsay Davenport (tennis) and Paula Radcliffe (marathon).
She has even penned her autobiography, Don't Let the Lipstick Fool You, which will be released to coincide with the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Games on Wednesday.
"I wear lipstick when I play basketball. And I love the fact that I can be very feminine when I'm off the court, and look nice on the court, but at the same time, it doesn't define me. When I play on the court, I still play physical. I play hard."
Just the way they do it back in Compton.
The Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament final is on Saturday.
