It follows the conclusion of another historic season in which the one of British basketball’s all-time greats - a former Olympian, EuroBasket veteran and FIBA EuroCup winner - helped the London Lions to an undefeated domestic season in the WBBL.
Leedham-Warner earned 91 Great Britain caps, the fifth highest all-time total for the women's team, after making her debut in 2006 against Norway, and has been a colossal force in representing British basketball on the global stage throughout her career, including at the London 2012 Olympics.
She also ends her career as the all-time leading scorer amongst all GB Men and Women, with over 1,200 points scored in the British jersey, and is only one of two players to have scored over 1,000 points for GB – the other being Men’s team captain and fellow Olympian Dan Clark.
The 34-year-old hangs up her boots at the top of her game, having returned to the court this season with the Lions in the WBBL following the birth to her first child last year.
In a post on Instagram today she said: "So many ups & downs. So many trophies, cups & Championships won ( & some lost too). So many amazing teammates & friends who have crossed my path, & I am lucky that some have stayed. Thank You all. So many memories.
"So many unbelievable moments that i never thought could happen, 3000pt scorer, WNBA draftee, Olympian, EuroCup Champion, EuroLeague player for 8 seasons and many more… So many countries travelled and lived in.
"There aren’t enough words to write what I feel. But I am thankful and blessed. I am happy to retire the way i wanted, going out playing good basketball with my daughter watching.
"To my family, you’re all amazing. None of this is possible without you. We never could’ve imagined this career in a million years.
"My career is special and pretty damn amazing but through all of this, my parents were the ones who really showed how amazing they are. This wouldn’t even exist without your support and sacrifice. Thank you for keeping me humble, hungry & teaching me to never settle. You guys are the real MVPs.
"Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this in some way, I appreciate all of you. I have met so many amazing people all over the world and that has been the best part of it all.
"I am closing this chapter feeling very thankful. I hope you all enjoyed the Jo Leedham show, I’ll always just be a kid from the Port."
Leedham-Warner was instrumental as the Lions swept aside all challengers on the way to a clean sweep of the WBBL Championship, Playoffs, Trophy and Cup this past season. London also flew the flag for British basketball on the continent, as Mark Clark’s side had an outstanding debut campaign in the FIBA EuroCup, where they secured a win over Leedham-Warner’s former side and the competition’s top seeds, Tango Bourges, in the knockout stages.
Always passionate and straight-talking, the Chester-born star attended Franklin Pierce College in the US and her retirement brings an end to an incredible career that has spanned over a decade of professional basketball with Gorzow Wielkopolski, Bulleen Boomers, Bourges and Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
To mark her retirement, Leedham-Warner recorded the interview above with GB Basketball, explaining her decision and looking back over her successful career.
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