Erica Leak

Title

Head Coach
Email

Leake@uapb.edu

Erica Leak is entering her third season as head coach of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball program after orchestrating one of the biggest turnarounds in the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the 2025-26 season.

A former WNBA first round draft selection, 2025 Louisiana Tech Women's Basketball All Quarter Century Team selection, and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductee, Leak has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars in women's college basketball. Widely regarded as one of the nation's premier recruiters and player development coaches, her extensive relationships throughout the WNBA, NCAA Division I, junior college, elite AAU, and high school basketball have elevated the Golden Lions' recruiting profile while positioning the program for sustained success.

In just two seasons, Leak has reestablished a championship culture at UAPB built on elite player development, relentless defensive intensity, and a highly competitive style of play. Her vision, recruiting connections, and ability to develop talent have transformed the Golden Lions into one of the SWAC's ascending programs with championship expectations and a commitment to competing for conference championships every season.

In her first season leading a roster built primarily through her own recruiting efforts, Leak engineered one of the most significant turnarounds in the conference, transforming the Golden Lions into one of the SWAC's most competitive and exciting teams. UAPB posted a 15-16 overall record and finished 10-8 in conference play after playing one of the league's toughest non-conference schedules. The Golden Lions earned one of the signature victories in program history with a 69-64 road win over the University of Memphis before adding another marquee road victory at North Alabama, where a dramatic game-winning buzzer beater landed on ESPN's Top 10 Plays.

The Golden Lions also accomplished one of the season's most impressive feats by defeating Alcorn State three times, including two regular season victories and a third win in the SWAC Conference Tournament Quarterfinals, becoming the only team in the conference to accomplish the feat while advancing to the SWAC Tournament Semifinals, finishing one win away from competing for the conference championship.

Under Leak's leadership, the Golden Lions emerged as one of the conference's most balanced teams on both ends of the floor. UAPB ranked fifth in the SWAC in scoring offense (61.1 points per game) while finishing third in the conference in steals (10.3 per game) and establishing itself as one of the league's premier defensive teams. Leak's relentless defensive philosophy became the identity of the program, forcing turnovers, creating transition opportunities, and setting the standard for the Golden Lions' resurgence.

Leak's reputation as one of the conference's premier player development coaches was on full display throughout the season. Indiya Bowen was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All SWAC after leading the conference with 462 total points while averaging 14.9 points per game. Under Leak's guidance, Bowen developed into one of the premier players in the conference. UAPB also featured one of the SWAC's most explosive scoring duos as Jailah Pelly finished sixth in the conference with 396 total points while averaging 12.8 points per game, giving the Golden Lions two of the conference's top six scorers.

The Golden Lions' success reflected Leak's ability to identify, recruit, and develop talent. Despite relying heavily on newcomers, UAPB produced one of the conference's most dynamic backcourts while showcasing one of the SWAC's most balanced offensive attacks.

Defensively, Leak quickly established a championship identity built on relentless ball pressure, effort, and discipline. The Golden Lions became one of the SWAC's most disruptive defensive teams, ranking among the conference leaders in steals while placing three players among the league's top defenders. Jailah Pelly (2.1 steals per game), Jasmine Davis (1.9 steals per game), and Indiya Bowen (1.9 steals per game) all ranked among the conference leaders in steals, helping establish UAPB as one of the toughest defensive teams in the SWAC and one of the league's most difficult opponents to prepare for.

Leak was named the 10th head coach in program history by Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Chris Robinson, bringing with her an elite playing résumé, championship pedigree, and a proven track record of developing student-athletes both on and off the court.

Prior to joining UAPB, Leak led West Memphis High School to its first state championship appearance since 2003 while earning 2023 Arkansas High School Coach of the Year honors. During her four seasons with the Blue Devils, she guided the program to four consecutive state tournament appearances, a 5A State Runner-Up finish, and the school's first appearance in the state finals in two decades.

Leak began her coaching career at Forrest City High School, where she increased the program's winning percentage by more than 1,000 percent over four seasons while helping numerous student-athletes continue their careers at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels.

As a player, Leak enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in Arkansas and Louisiana Tech history. A 2005 graduate of Louisiana Tech University, she was a four-time Western Athletic Conference Champion, WAC Freshman of the Year, and a four-time NCAA Tournament participant before being selected 19th overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. In 2025, she was named to the Louisiana Tech Women's Basketball All Quarter Century Team, recognizing her as one of the program's most accomplished players of the past 25 years. In 2026, she was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, further recognizing her lasting impact on the game of basketball.

Leak's basketball accomplishments began long before college. During her standout career at Palestine Wheatley High School, she was named the 2001 Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year, Parade All-American, MVP of the Arkansas High School All-Star Game, led her team to the 2001 Arkansas State Championship, and earned a spot on the 2000 USA U19 Qualifying Team under Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma.

Leak earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University in 2005 and her Master of Arts in Athletic Administration from Concordia University in 2023. She and her husband, Antonio, are the proud parents of five children: daughters Nia, Tyra, Laila, and Demi, and son Jace.

Career Honors

Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026
2025 Louisiana Tech Women's Basketball All Quarter Century Team
WNBA First Round Draft Pick (19th Overall) – Washington Mystics (2005)
Four-Time Western Athletic Conference Champion
WAC Freshman of the Year
Four-Time NCAA Tournament Participant
2023 Arkansas High School Coach of the Year
2001 Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year
2001 Parade All-American
MVP, 2001 Arkansas High School All-Star Game
2001 Arkansas Class 4A State Champion
High School Jersey Retired by Palestine-Wheatley (2001)
Member of the 2000 USA Women's U19 National Team Qualifying Squad, coached by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma