A 6’4” forward from Joliet, Illinois, Leslie led the frosh team in scoring, averaging 29 points per game. Starting the varsity’s season opener as a sophomore, he paced the Saints in scoring the first two games and started every game for the rest of his career. Leslie fired in 25 points in that second contest, and would go on to reach that figure 17 more times before leaving the Hilltop, with highs of 35 (vs. Rocky) and 31 counters. He led the team in scoring and was among the top rebounders all three seasons. Averaging 18.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during 1973, he also paced Carroll at 81.8% accuracy from the free throw line.
Leslie was selected second team All-Conference, just missing first team being the sixth-leading vote-getter. In 1974, he earned first team All-Frontier and became just the third Saint to score 20 ppg, with averages of 21.7 points and 5.9 boards, along with 51.4% FG accuracy. Dave finished the season on a hot streak, averaging 24.1 points over the last 11 games. His final season, he scored 20.6 ppg, speared 6.9 rpg, and was second on the club with 86 assists.
The league’s leading All-Conference vote-getter, Leslie also garnered first team All-District and was chosen NAIA honorable mention All-American. Dave left the Hilltop with the program’s No. 2 lifetime scoring average (19.7 ppg) and No. 3 season (556) and career (1530) points – many from beyond the futuristic 3-point line. His school records included FG accuracy for a game (15-16, 93.7%) and season FGs (242). Leslie tried-out with the New Orleans Jazz, lasting until the 3rd cut, and played several seasons of pro hoops in New Zealand and Australia.
