Sparks' Leslie becomes a mom

Sparks center Lisa Leslie, who recently sat courtside -- noticeably pregnant but in good spirits -- during the team's first two home games at Staples Center, gave birth to her first child today at a Los Angeles-area hospital.

The baby, a girl named Lauren Jolie Lockwood, weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches at birth, which occurred at 4:11 a.m. by Caesarean section.

Leslie announced in December that she was pregnant and expected to sit out the season, but the Sparks have left the door open for her to return. She remains on the team's roster for this season.

The 34-year-old Leslie, who is married to real estate developer Michael Lockwood, is reportedly under her doctor's orders not to work out for at least six weeks following the birth, which occurred ahead of the June 25 due date.

Sparks Coach Michael Cooper wouldn't mind Leslie, a three-time most valuable player and the 2004 defensive player of the year in the WNBA, returning to the lineup.

"I'd love to have her, and we certainly could use her, there's no denying that," he said.

But, speaking before a game last week against the Houston Comets, Cooper thought about his experience as a parent of four and didn't recommend it.

"I say take this year off, give the time to your baby," he said. "I say that from a parent's perspective. I've been a dad and I took a lot of time away from my family traveling while I was playing, and you can't get that back."