Erica Leak Inducted into Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame

UAPB women's basketball coach recognized for standout playing and coaching career

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:04am

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An abstract, energetic painting depicting the dynamic movement of a basketball player driving to the hoop, with their face and jersey dissolving into vibrant, expressive brushstrokes in neon colors.The induction of Erica Leak into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame celebrates her lifelong passion for the game of basketball and the transformative impact she has had as both a player and a coach.Pine Bluff Today

Erica Leak, the head coach of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team, has been selected for induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Leak, a former standout player at Palestine-Wheatley High School and Louisiana Tech, has built an impressive coaching resume, leading teams at Forrest City and West Memphis before taking over at UAPB in 2024.

Why it matters

Leak's induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame is a testament to her lifelong dedication to the game of basketball. As a player, she was one of the state's best, leading her high school team to a state championship and earning numerous accolades. Now as a coach, she has continued to make an impact, rebuilding the UAPB program and instilling a winning culture.

The details

Leak was a three-time All-Arkansas performer at Palestine-Wheatley High School, guiding the Lady Patriots to three straight state championship game appearances, including a title in 2001. She went on to star at Louisiana Tech, earning Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and helping the team win league titles and reach the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons. Leak was then drafted 19th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2005 WNBA Draft.

  • Leak will be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • Leak took over as the head coach of the UAPB women's basketball team in April 2024.

The players

Erica Leak

The 43-year-old head coach of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team, who will be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Jason Leak

Erica Leak's older brother, who was a perennial all-state player in high school and played at the University of Mississippi from 1996-99.

Carl Baker

Erica Leak's nephew, who played for four seasons with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 1999-2003.

Beverly Bass

Erica Leak's high school coach at Palestine-Wheatley.

Jermain Taylor

Erica Leak's former husband, who was a former world middleweight boxing champion.

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What they’re saying

“You know, my parents sacrificed so much for me to play basketball. I just think about it all not being in vain. The Saturday mornings, the weekends where we traveled all over the state... It was really my life because basketball was all I did.”

— Erica Leak, Head Coach, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

“The culture we had (at Palestine-Wheatley) is what I tried to cultivate when I coached at Forrest City, at West Memphis and even now at UAPB. Just to really have a transformational experience because it's bigger than just basketball. You learn so many transferable skills that you use in life.”

— Erica Leak, Head Coach, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

What’s next

Leak will be officially inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The takeaway

Erica Leak's induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor that recognizes her lifelong dedication to the game of basketball, both as a standout player and as a rising coaching talent. Her commitment to building winning cultures and developing student-athletes has made her a respected figure in the state's basketball community.