Athletes often fight their personal demons and public detractors to put up a formidable display. Each one have their own motivation that inspires them to push their limits. Taking cognizance of the same, former WNBA legend Lisa Leslie made an appearance in ?The Daily Show? hosted by actress and comedian Leslie Jones on Tuesday and spoke at length about her inspiration.

The interview was a detailed one as Jones asked Leslie a variety of questions that had the 2x WNBA Champion going through her journey and also having a fun banter in between the serious moments. It was particularly when she talked of her inspiration that struck a chord with her fans.

What did Lisa Leslie say?

The 51-year-old talked about her successful playing career that led to also speaking of her inspiration. Leslie graduated while playing for the University of Southern California Trojans in 1994 and was drafted in the first WNBA in 1997. ?For me it was really about the next generation. You know, we didn?t get as much spotlight as young women get now, especially in the WNBA. But having that opportunity and that platform to be a role model for the next generation, that?s all I kept thinking about is those little girls out there who are going to see me, who want to be like me. That was it,? remarked Leslie.

The women?s league wasn?t as popular as it is right now at that time and hence, the athletes also received lesser pay and spotlight. It was the hard work of many women basketball stars such as Lisa to put the league in the limelight.?

The California-born spent her entire career with the Sparks and received the WNBA MVP award thrice in 2001, 2004, and 2007. She was such a pioneer of the women?s league that she was included in the WNBA?s 10th, 15th, 20th, and 25th-anniversary teams.

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A legend in her own right, Leslie was named the Sportswoman of the Year in 2001 by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The 2x WNBA Finals MVP retired in 2009 and has been an enterprising figure since then.

What’s Lisa up to after retirement?

Leslie became the co-owner of her former team Los Angeles Sparks in 2011 and has also invested in a real estate firm. She has also plied her trade as an analyst and commentator for reputed news channels namely – the ABC, NBC, and Fox Sports Net.

She is a regular at various talk shows where she shares her journey and experiences to help other players. In the same show, she also slammed doubters who underestimate the women’s league.

With legends like her working towards women sports, it is quite natural that the WNBA has grown a lot these years, and incorporated players who have raised the league’s standard ever since.

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Every women basketballer should learn from Lisa?s attitude and pave the way for future superstars so that the league continues its excellent run and growth.