Former Pacer Myles Turner reflects on Nancy Leonard’s legacy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Statements have continued to pour in throughout the day on Wednesday following the passing of Nancy Leonard.

Leonard, who was the wife of Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster Bob “Slick” Leonard, passed away at the age of 93. She played a key role in ensuring the Pacers stayed in Indianapolis.

“Quite simply, we would not be here without her,” the Simon family and Pacers Sports & Entertainment said in a statement on Wednesday. “From the earliest days of the franchise, Nancy poured her heart and soul into the team, not just as the wife of Slick Leonard, but as a female trailblazer who rallied the community when we needed it the most.”

Leonard ran the Pacers front office in an official capacity after the Pacers joined the NBA following the NBA/ABA merger.

She is widely considered the matriarch of the Pacers.

Current Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton posted on X, formally known as Twitter, writing:

The First Lady of Indiana basketball. Before every game, I knew I could count on a wink and a smile behind the bench. There is no Pacers basketball without Nancy Leonard. Can’t wait to see the day her name is in the rafters where it belongs. RIP to a legend and a beautiful soul

Former Pacers center Myles Turner also posted his thoughts about Leonard on X:

I’d Like To Take This Time To Pass My Condolences & Honor The Life & Legacy Of Mrs Nancy Leonard…When I Was A Rookie She Personally Took The Time To Get To Know Me, Welcome Me To The City, And I Quickly Learned The Legacy Her And Her Husband The Late Great “Slick” Leonard Built Within The City Of Indianapolis! She Sat Right Behind Our Home Bench And RARELY Missed A Game Or A Moment @ The FieldHouse. It Truely Fills My Heart With Joy She Was Able To Experience Her Team Get To The Finals Last Year And I Can Only Imagine What That Moment Meant For Her And Her Family Regardless Of How You Feel About Me Or How Things Ended Some Things Are Just Bigger Than Basketball This Moment Being One Of Them… My Thoughts And Prayers Are With The @pacers Organization And I’m Thankful For Me & Mrs Nancy Time Together

The Pacers shared a video of Tuner and Leonard hugging each other after the Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals this past season.

Turner joined the Milwaukee Bucks this past offseason after spending 10 seasons with the Pacers.

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