NEBL bids farewell to the legendary Darwin “Puppy” Leslie


By Karim Juan

NEBL Commissioner

Friday, April 18, 2019

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie took his last gallop in an NEBL jersey last night as he declared that his lustrous basketball career has come to an end.  Darwin played in all 6 seasons of the NEBL where he was cheered on as the face of the league whilst most locker rooms whispered of his legendary status.  In the inaugural season of the NEBL, Puppy suited up with San Pedro Tiger Sharks in 2014 where he averaged 10.26 points per game, 6.37 rebounds per game and 1.79 assists per game. However, his stardom skyrocketed in the playoffs where his fourth quarter dominance and free-throw shooting capped off many fourth quarter victories for his squad. Puppy was instrumental in the first championship run and grabbed the attention of basketball enthusiasts as his personality and demeanor toyed on everyone’s heart.  Darwin Leslie and San Pedro Tiger Sharks were crowned as the first NEBL champions, as they defeated Cayo Western Ballaz in the third and decisive game of the series.  In 2015, Darwin Leslie remained with the San Pedro Tiger Sharks where he averaged 18.28 points per game and rallied his troops to another NEBL Finals against Cayo Western Ballaz. Again, Puppy was able to lead his team to another championship, where Darwin garnered the Finals MVP award.   Puppy was then unanimously declared the big dog of the league. Back-to-back championships with a leading role in both spurts projected Darwin to the top, becoming the face of the league.

In 2016, Darwin took his talents to a Belize City based team, Smart Belize Hurricanes where he took that squad to the Finals, defeating his previous team, San Pedro Tiger Sharks.  Again, Darwin was the Finals MVP, where he cemented his name in NEBL history as the first back-to-back Finals MVP and three-time NEBL champion.  Darwin’s personality, rapport with the kids attending games and genuine smile radiated across television screens in the entire country, as he was dubbed as a basketball legend in Belize.  His work ethic, passion for the game and dedication was evident in his physical shape and stellar performance on the basketball court. This was his league, his game, his world. Puppy stood supreme in the basketball world. His legacy was established while he still dashed across the courts in Belize. He was our icon. He became our hero. He was the villain.

In 2017, Puppy traveled out west in an attempt to team up with Cayo Western Ballaz and to get them back to the finals. Ironically, Puppy was the one that defeated Cayo Western Ballaz twice at the finals.  During this season, Darwin averaged 17 points per game and got Cayo Western Ballaz to the playoffs to go up against San Pedro Tiger Sharks. The rivalry continued to blossom, but Puppy was now on a new team.  San Pedro Tiger Sharks defeated Puppy in the semi-finals, breaking his 3-year streak of reaching the finals. In 2018, Darwin Leslie teamed up with his brother Jacob and a few other shareholders to bring out a new franchise, Belize City Defenders. He led Defenders to the finals in their first season in the league, but were defeated.  This season he returned with this franchise, but they did not make the playoffs.

The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) would like to thank Darwin “Puppy” Leslie for the six great years he contributed to our league. Your commitment and dedication to the game remains as a model for our upcoming players, while your passion for the game remains unmatched. You touched the hearts of many basketball fans, you remain the hero of many youngsters in Belize and you surely stole the hearts of many television viewers.  May your journey continue as you remain a key contributor to the development of basketball in Belize. Thanks Darwin.