Leslie opens season with strong game

Vandebilt graduate and Houma-based professional basketball player Sumar Leslie apparently fits right in with the people of Australia.

Leslie had a huge debut in her opening game with the Werribee Devils of the Big V League, scoring 22 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists to help spark the team to a big road victory over the Mildura Heat on Saturday night.

Leslie said the victory was big for the team, because Mildura was a semifinalist in the Big V just one year ago.

She said it was great to be back on the floor – especially with what she described as a great group of teammates and coaches around her.

“It was all just such a great blessing,” Leslie said. “The team really had some struggles last year, and we just wanted to make the statement early in the season and let it be known that everything was going to be different, and we were going to be a completely different team this year.”

With the win, Leslie said the Devils are already looking to the future.

The team will host the Camberwell Dragons on Saturday – eager for a 2-0 start, something that is rare for a Devils team which is building up its program under coach Mahaela Jackson.

Leslie said that more important than the play on the floor are the experiences she’s enjoying in Australia.

She said the people in the country are outstanding – some of the nicest she’s ever encountered.

By day, Leslie works with children around Melbourne, helping teach them the game of basketball. She also helps to promote basketball operations and projects that Werribee is taking on to try and grow the game in the city.

But Leslie is also being paid to play ball, and she did an excellent job of that in the opener.

She was 8-of-17 from the floor in the opener and 3-of-8 from behind the 3-point stripe.

Leslie played 35 minutes and only committed one turnover in the game.

She said she can’t wait to keep working in the coming weeks to try and better herself and also the play of her teammates.

“The competition is really good,” she said. “It’s better than I thought it would be. I have a great team around me, too, which really makes me happy. I think we have a group in place that can really allow us to do some special things as a team. We definitely very much look forward to that.”

She said she receives countless messages from people in Houma-Thibodaux, and she wants everyone to know that even though she can’t respond to everything, she appreciates all of the love.

“The people back home are powering me and are giving me inspiration and motivation,” Leslie said. “That means so much to me. I can’t wait to keep playing, but I also can’t wait to be able to teach more local children the game, as well.” •

Sumar Leslie

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