EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie says she will retire after her 12th season with the Los Angeles Sparks.

The 36-year-old center announced her decision Wednesday in El Segundo, Calif., accompanied by her 19-month-old daughter and husband.

Leslie, who has been a cornerstone of the league since its start, guided the Sparks to the WNBA championship in 2001 and 2002.

She says she decided to retire as it became more difficult to balance her family life and her basketball career. She took the 2007 season off to give birth and then returned last season.