Podcast Summary: GOOD FOLLOW - Lisa Leslie Talks Angel Reese’s Motion, A’ja Wilson’s GOAT Status, Cathy Engelbert Gets Booed & More

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Guests/Hosts: Roz Gold-Onwude (Host), Lisa Leslie (Guest)
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of GOOD FOLLOW centers on a dynamic and insightful conversation between host Roz Gold-Onwude and legendary WNBA hall of famer Lisa Leslie. Broadcasting from LA, the discussion dives deep into the cultural influence of Angel Reese, the on-court dominance and GOAT candidacy of A’ja Wilson, and recent events in the WNBA, including Cathy Engelbert being booed at the Finals. Lisa Leslie’s candid reflections as a role model, analyst, and mentor bring a unique perspective to pivotal developments in women's basketball and sports culture.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Lisa Leslie’s Legacy of Mentorship and Media

• Early Mentorship
  Roz recalls Lisa’s support when she was an aspiring broadcaster, emphasizing Lisa's reliability and leadership in uplifting young talent from all backgrounds—not just established stars.

“I was happy you asked and I was like, oh, I never let down people. When I say I'm going to do something, I follow through and do it. And especially young people, to me, I think that's so important.” —Lisa Leslie (02:45)

• Philosophy on Podcasting and Media Influence
  Lisa discusses her careful approach to holding a platform, emphasizing authenticity and responsibility, and distancing herself from clickbait.

“We are a part of the media, essentially. We have a voice and a platform, and I think we have to use that responsibly.” —Lisa Leslie (05:06)

Angel Reese’s Cultural Impact

• Victoria’s Secret Runway & Breaking New Ground [06:27]

  • Lisa beams with pride over Angel Reese becoming the first WNBA player to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway, emphasizing the depth of Angel’s preparation and the ripple effect for women athletes.
  • Both reflect on the shift—Reese isn’t just excelling at basketball, she’s shaping pop culture and inspiring new dreams for young girls.
  • Lisa draws parallels to her own pioneering work in modeling as a WNBA player, highlighting representation and opportunity:

    “Every time we, as a whole, get endorsement deals… you're continually busting down doors and opening it up for that next generation.” —Lisa Leslie (08:31)

• Comparison: Angel Reese & Lisa Leslie [09:24]

  • Roz notes that during their last show, they debated whether anyone has culturally transcended the WNBA like Angel Reese, with Lisa’s own legacy being the closest parallel.
  • Lisa graciously accepts the comparison, dubbing Reese her “10.0”—a successor empowered by social media and new opportunities.

    “Angela's like, she's 10.0 me. Like… now we have businesses and companies who want a piece of the pie because the numbers are off the chart.” —Lisa Leslie (11:54)

• Caitlin Clark’s Parallel Impact

  • Lisa stresses that while Angel leads in cultural reach, Caitlin Clark is also a generational game-changer—together their rivalry and success fuel the women's game’s popularity.

    “You can’t say one really without the other… they were synonymous in terms of creating this growth for women’s basketball.” —Lisa Leslie (13:41)

Authenticity and Athlete Branding

• Finding Their Own Lane [14:46]

  • Roz and Lisa agree that Angel and Caitlin are both thriving by staying true to themselves: Angel with her visibility and culture-shaping presence; Caitlin by building her own brand and doing things her way (like golf).

• On Angel Reese’s Next Steps as a Player [15:20]

  • Lisa details Angel’s injury challenges in her second season, her league-leading rebounding, and strong work ethic, but notes her continued lack of veteran mentorship on the Chicago Sky.

    “To lead the league in rebounding… that’s a lot of work to not get recognized... I wish she would have had more of that veteran leadership.” —Lisa Leslie (17:20)

  • Lisa calls for a team environment that fully appreciates Angel's “heart and fight.”

A'ja Wilson’s GOAT Candidacy and the Era of the Aces

• Reframing the GOAT Debate [21:22]

  • Lisa Leslie respectfully sidesteps naming a GOAT, pointing out the difficulty of comparing across eras and the importance of context—namechecking trailblazers including Cheryl Miller, Cynthia Cooper, Diana Taurasi, and others.

    “In any era, Asia would be amazing… Cynthia Cooper would have been amazing, Cheryl Miller would have been amazing. I would be amazing. Like, we would still have the level of success that we've had even now in this era.” —Lisa Leslie (22:22)

  • Lisa sees herself and A’ja as “the most similar,” admiring Wilson’s all-around game and consistency.

• A’ja’s Dominance & Marketability [24:53]

  • Roz remarks on A’ja’s championships, MVPs, and Olympic medals, asking if her marketability matches her dominance.
  • Lisa says brands like Nike have stepped up but there’s room for more off-court opportunities:

    “She should have more. She's the best player in the world, you know.” —Lisa Leslie (25:27)

• The 2025 Aces’ Turnaround
  Lisa sums up their championship run as a sign of a dynasty, praising A’ja for never “disappearing” even in hard games.

Cathy Engelbert Booed at Finals – What It Means [25:33]

• WNBA Commissioner’s Reception
  • Roz notes how loudly the commissioner was booed during the trophy presentation—a moment visible on the faces of players and commentators.
  • Lisa is empathetic but sees it as a powerful sign of growing fan engagement and advocacy for player equity:

    “It’s kind of cool because we know the fans are listening… they want for the players to reap the benefits also. So you think about the CBA and… profit sharing. I think that's going to be important…” —Lisa Leslie (26:26)

  • She isn’t mad at the fans, interpreting the moment as player solidarity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm a truth teller. So if it's things that… is not going to benefit us, I don't really participate in it… I don’t believe in negative energy and giving out negative energy.”
  —Lisa Leslie (04:10)

• “She checked all the boxes. This is your best body… when you are a professional athlete and you’re in your 20s, that is your best body, baby.”
  —Lisa Leslie on Angel Reese’s VS runway walk (06:37)

• “You never know how it comes full circle. The fact that we're working together, you don't know. One day you could be my boss… I'm happy because you never know.”
  —Lisa Leslie (02:45)

• “I see [A’ja Wilson’s] game probably the most similar to mine of any player that I’ve ever seen... the accuracy, the shot blocking, the defense, the energy, able to guard people inside and out.”
  —Lisa Leslie (23:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mentorship & Media Responsibility – 01:57–05:43
• Angel Reese’s Model Runway & Cultural Impact – 06:27–09:24
• Development of Angel & Caitlin Clark’s Cultural Lanes – 09:24–15:20
• Angel Reese’s Game Growth & Lacking Veteran Leadership – 15:55–18:44
• Aces’ Championship, A’ja Wilson’s Resume & GOAT Conversation – 20:12–24:53
• Wilson’s Endorsements & Marketability – 25:02–25:33
• Cathy Engelbert Booed by Fans: Fan Activism and Player Support – 25:33–27:38

Final Thoughts

The episode provides depth and nuance on how WNBA stars are shaping both basketball and American culture. Lisa Leslie’s authenticity, sharp analysis, and personal warmth bring clarity to the issues shaping women’s sports today: athlete empowerment, cross-generational legacy, fan activism, and the meaning of success on and off the court.
The conversation is celebratory, candid, and optimistic—reflective of both women’s unwavering advocacy for the next generation.