Mar 25, 2025
HS Player Featured in Commercial With Lisa Leslie
High School senior from Maryland lands national spotlight after Big Apple Basketball referral leads to role in State Street commercial with WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie.
High School senior from Maryland lands national spotlight after Big Apple Basketball referral leads to role in State Street commercial with WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie.
NEWARK, N.J. — Congratulations to Lola Saunders Mensa-Bonsu (pictured, R), a high school senior from Bowie, Maryland, who appeared in a national commercial for State Street alongside WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie.
The talent agency for the commercial was seeking a young girl to portray a younger Lisa Leslie. The 6-foot-3, 18-year-old traveled to New York City to audition for the national campaign after being referred by Big Apple Basketball President Jason Curry, who believed she was well-suited for the role.
Tony Paris, who coordinated basketball activities and referrals for the State Street project, reached out to Big Apple Basketball for assistance in identifying potential talent.
“We got a great referral from Big Apple Basketball. Jason knows everybody,” Paris said. “When Lola came in for the audition, the first thing we saw was that she had the right size, length and skill set on the court. We knew right then she fit perfectly to play a young Lisa Leslie.”
Lola comes from a family with deep roots in both entertainment and athletics. Her mother, Stephanie Saunders, known professionally as Steph Lova, is a veteran radio and television personality who has worked with Hot 97, BET and MTV, and served as a sports reporter for the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Giants, New York Jets and Washington Wizards.
Her father, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, played in the NBA from 2006 to 2011 for the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets.
Steph Lova expressed her appreciation for the opportunity her daughter received.
“Everything was very professional, and Lisa Leslie was super gracious. She even gave my daughter a shooting lesson,” Lova said. “I have to thank Big Apple Basketball for that. Big Apple Basketball is an amazing organization, and they care about the community. They made it possible for us to have this amazing experience — and my daughter got a couple extra dollars for college.”
Big Apple Basketball continues to connect young people with opportunities that extend beyond the court, helping them grow as players, students and leaders.
WATCH THE COMMERCIAL BELOW.
High School senior from Maryland lands national spotlight after Big Apple Basketball referral leads to role in State Street commercial with WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie.
NEWARK, N.J. — Congratulations to Lola Saunders Mensa-Bonsu (pictured, R), a high school senior from Bowie, Maryland, who appeared in a national commercial for State Street alongside WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie.
The talent agency for the commercial was seeking a young girl to portray a younger Lisa Leslie. The 6-foot-3, 18-year-old traveled to New York City to audition for the national campaign after being referred by Big Apple Basketball President Jason Curry, who believed she was well-suited for the role.
Tony Paris, who coordinated basketball activities and referrals for the State Street project, reached out to Big Apple Basketball for assistance in identifying potential talent.
“We got a great referral from Big Apple Basketball. Jason knows everybody,” Paris said. “When Lola came in for the audition, the first thing we saw was that she had the right size, length and skill set on the court. We knew right then she fit perfectly to play a young Lisa Leslie.”
Lola comes from a family with deep roots in both entertainment and athletics. Her mother, Stephanie Saunders, known professionally as Steph Lova, is a veteran radio and television personality who has worked with Hot 97, BET and MTV, and served as a sports reporter for the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Giants, New York Jets and Washington Wizards.
Her father, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, played in the NBA from 2006 to 2011 for the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets.
Steph Lova expressed her appreciation for the opportunity her daughter received.
“Everything was very professional, and Lisa Leslie was super gracious. She even gave my daughter a shooting lesson,” Lova said. “I have to thank Big Apple Basketball for that. Big Apple Basketball is an amazing organization, and they care about the community. They made it possible for us to have this amazing experience — and my daughter got a couple extra dollars for college.”
Big Apple Basketball continues to connect young people with opportunities that extend beyond the court, helping them grow as players, students and leaders.
WATCH THE COMMERCIAL BELOW.
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