NEW ORLEANS — Kenneth Leslie, a two-year men's basketball letterman during the 1970s at Xavier University of Louisiana and one of the team's top scorers his senior season, died Monday (Dec. 16, 2024) after a lengthy illness. He was 73 years old.
        Leslie, a 5-foot-10, 150-pound guard, played for the Gold Rush from 1974-76, and his 343 points his senior year ranked second on Coach Harold Hunter's team. Leslie averaged 13.4 points per game that season, and he scored 39 points in a 125-92 victory at Daniel Payne College (Birmingham, Ala.) on Jan. 14, 1976.
        The 39-point performance is tied for 13th place on the Gold Rush single-game scoring list.
        Leslie received a bachelor's degree from XULA in 1977. He taught nearly three decades in Orleans Parish — including McDonogh 28 and Samuel J. Green middle schools and McDonogh 19 elementary — then transitioned after Hurricane Katrina to a clerk position for Judge Herbert Cade in a New Orleans traffic court.
        Leslie was born in New Orleans and grew up in the Calliope Projects. He attended Xavier Prep School before graduating from John McDonogh High School in 1969. Prior to XULA, Leslie played basketball for Faulkner State Community College of Bay Minette, Ala.
        Survivors include a sister, Deidre Leslie; a brother, George Leslie; and a daughter, Michelle Bowman. Kenneth Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, George Leslie and Clothilde Kennedy Leslie; a brother, Lawrence Leslie; and a sister, Gail Leslie Watts.
        Leslie's body will be donated for medical research. A memorial service will be held after Jan. 1.