Local guard plots his next move

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Houma native Lionheart Leslie is home from college and he’s looking for a job.

He’s willing to go just about anywhere in the world to find employment and to keep his dream alive.

Leslie finished his eligibility this spring with Cal State-Fullerton – helping lead the Titans to their most successful basketball season in a long time in his senior year.


Now, Leslie said his focus is on the future and trying to find a professional team that suits his interests.

He said he’s planning to compete in showcases, combines and workouts in the coming weeks to try and secure the best opportunity for both he and his family.

“Right now, I’m just staying patient and trying to find something that fits,” Leslie said. “I believe in myself. I know what I’m capable of doing. I know I can play at this level – or at any level, really. So it’s about seeing what’s out there, learning about all the situations that are available around the world and then trying my best to make something fit my plans.”


Leslie was a disruptive force for Fullerton this past season – the heart and soul of a scrappy team that exceeded expectations and made it to the postseason for the first time in many seasons.

The Vandebilt Catholic graduate averaged just 10.6 points per game as a senior to go with 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals averages.

But those around the program are always quick to tout that his impacts were far greater than could be measured in statistics.


Titans coach Deidrique Taylor pointed out multiple times throughout the season that Leslie was capable of scoring more, but yielded because the Titans were loaded with scorers and had some of the top offensive threats in the Big West Conference.

On nights where the team’s shooters were cold, Leslie proved his coach right and took over.

In the Big West Tournament, Leslie was unstoppable and unguardable, scoring 24 points and getting to the free throw line 14 times in a Titans win.


Most nights, he applied ball-pressure to the opponent’s top player as a way to disrupt the team’s offense.

Because of Leslie’s nose for the ball, he even played the bottom at times when the Titans shifted to a zone – despite his 5-foot, 10-inch frame.

Leslie had nine games this season with six or more rebounds.


“He just plays with so much energy and plays so hard,” Taylor said during the season. “That’s contagious. That type of thing is something that’s not able to be coached and it’s not able to really be taught. We knew he had a high motor when we recruited him, but to see it over the past two years has been a different thing. His energy alone can sometimes take over games.”

But Leslie said he’s 100 percent now – something he wasn’t last season – which is a scary thought.

Leslie said he battled hand and finger issues throughout the season and had a hard time finding comfort on the floor – juggling different wraps, braces and tape styles throughout the season.


He started the season red-hot from behind the 3-point line, making six out of his first 13 tries over the first five games of the season.

But as the hand issues started to flare, he cooled.

Leslie shot just 22 percent from behind the 3-point line and 74 percent from the free throw line – both numbers he believes are not indicative of the player he is.


He did shoot 46.5 percent from the field, which shows his ability to consistently get to the rim.

“I am working on my shooting and really every facet of my game all the time,” Leslie said. “I know I am a better shooter than the stats say that I am. I’m a competitor. I wasn’t ever going to make an excuse or say that I needed to rest or heal. My team needed me and I was definitely going to be out there on the floor with them every night.”

Now, Leslie is fully focused on the future.


He said he’s working to stay in as good condition as possible during the offseason so that he can report to a future team in as good a shape as possible.

Leslie said he’s also working to finalize his passport and other things necessary so that he can leave and head overseas on a whim if he’s asked to do so.

He said to be in this position is a blessing – something he’s looked forward to his whole life.


Leslie added that he plans to play as long as his body allows him to in hopes of allowing the game an opportunity to let him see the world.

“I’m hungry and I’m focused,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I’m optimistic and keeping my head up and I just know that something is going to happen. And when it does, I will be ready to take the ball and run.”

Lionheart LeslieTITAN ATHLETICS


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