Leslie wins MVP for third time

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player award Sunday, joining Sheryl Swoopes as the league’s only three-time winners.

Leslie was the easy choice after a remarkable resurgence in her 10-year career, receiving 508 points in voting from a national panel of journalists. The 34-year-old easily beat out Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi, who received 211 points, and Connecticut’s Katie Douglas, who had 208.

“I think it’s more special because it’s now,” Leslie said. “Just to be in (the WNBA’s) 10th year and to win with so much young talent and competition.”