From University of Rochester Athletics
In three seasons as a basketball player at the University of Rochester, Alexandra Leslie has achieved a great deal: points, rebounds, athletic honors. Now, because of her contributions away from the court, she has been selected as a finalist for one of the highest individual honors in college basketball.
Leslie is one of 10 women's finalists for The Josten's Trophy, an award presented by the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia. It is given for a combination of athletic skill, academic achievement, and community service. The presentation will be made at the men's NCAA Division III Final Four in Salem. Games will be played on March 17 and 18.
This is the 20th year of the award. Leslie is the first Rochester women's player to be selected as a finalist. Sam Borst-Smith of Rochester's men's team is a finalist for the men's Josten's Trophy.
Far and away, Leslie is enjoying her best season in Rochester colors. She leads the team in varied statistical categories, is ranked nationally in several, and has made a rapid climb up the career charts.
Most importantly, however, she has helped Rochester earn its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III National Championships. Rochester will play Keene State College of New Hampshire on Friday in the first game of a doubleheader at SUNY Geneseo. This is Rochester's ninth NCAA playoff bid in the last 12 years and its 14th overall. The Yellowjackets enter the NCAAs with a record of 17-8. They finished third in the University Athletic Association with an 8-6 record. Three UAA teams made the NCAA field.
Leslie is averaging a career-best 22.2 ppg., shooting 56.1% from the field, 83.5% from the foul line. She tops Rochester in scoring, rebounding (9.9 rpg.), and blocked shots (41). She is second in assists with 51.
On December 10, she scored 22 points in a 73-67 loss to Ithaca College. That total included her 1,000th career point, scored in her 62nd game. It made her the second fastest women's player in school history to reach 1,000 career points.
As she heads into the NCAA playoffs on Friday night, she has 1,386 points (third all-time), 752 rebounds (eighth all-time), 142 assists, and 91 blocked shots (sixth, one shy of fifth place).
She was named First Team All-UAA for the third consecutive season. Leslie was named to three All-America teams as a sophomore (First Team by D3hoops.com) and chosen as a First Team Pre-Season All-American by D3hoops.com this year.
Away from the court, the Lancaster, PA native was elected First Team Academic All-District III by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She has been named to the UAA All-Academic Team in each of the last two years. She is a business major.
Last summer, Leslie shadowed a doctor at a hometown hospital in Lancaster. She has been a volunteer with the Lancaster County (PA) Project for the Needy for the last five years. She volunteered every Christmas Eve morning to deliver over 1,500 Christmas dinners to low-income families in Lancaster County. She is a member of the University's St. Sebastian Society (a service organization) dedicating hours each week to tutoring 4th-8th graders at three different Rochester city schools.