Little Sutton sisters Jennifer and Jo Leedham have taken another step together in their hugely successful basketball careers by being inducted into the Hall of Fame at their former American university.
The sisters have been recognised for their outstanding contributions on the floor during their time at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire with spots in the school’s 2016 Athletics Hall of Fame Class.
Both former players with the Ellesmere Port Panthers, the Leedham sisters have gone on to forge a name for themselves in the professional game since graduating, with Jennifer now head coach of the Franklin Pierce women’s basketball programme and Jo, who starred for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, playing point guard for French EuroLeague side Tango Bourges.
Jennifer graduated in 2009, becoming assistant coach with the school before taking the top job in 2012, while Jo finished her time at the school in 2010 before embarking on a professional career that has taken in spells in Australia and Poland and saw here drafted 27th by the Connecticut Sun in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
“It’s a huge honour to be inducted into the hall of fame at Franklin Pierce University, and obviously extra special because Jen is being inducted also,” said Jo, who remains the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division II history and who is a two-time winner of the British Basketball Athlete of the Year award.
“Being in college was one of the most exciting times of my life.
“However, I love that I get paid to play basketball and the fact that it is my job is absolutely amazing. I am very grateful that my passion is my work.”
For 27-year-old Jo, who lifted the French LFB league championship with her Bourges side last season, she looks set to don a Great Britain vest once more following a brief hiatus when the national side meet Italy next month for a EuroBasket 2017 qualifier.
While starring in France, Jo admits that basketball in Britain is struggling and is unsure as to just what the future holds for the sport.
“I am hoping to make a return to GB in November, and we will see what happens next,” she said. “It’s difficult for a country to compete at a high level in this sport when the country does not support or respect it. It will be interesting to see what the futures holds.”
