GB women have begun to climb the world rankings and gone from a team that none of the major countries took seriously, to a side that can now hold its own against some of the best in the world.
"We've come really far, collectively and as individuals," said Leedham. "We've developed so much.
"Four years ago we were not useless, but not far from it. We didn't really grasp the concept and were getting by on hard work.
"It's unbelievable what we've done for the women's game in this country."
Leedham said that when she made her debut back in 2006, she never imagined then that one day she would be representing Great Britain at the London Olympics.
Almost sixty caps later and now established as one of the key players in the squad, Leedham is just as proud to represent Team GB now as she was back then.
"Obviously being in the Olympics is very special but for me, putting on a GB vest is something that I always take pride in.
"Because it's an Olympics it just makes it a little bit more special being in our own backyard and obviously it's a very special moment for me that I'm going to cherish forever."
This summer has seen an extensive warm-up campaign as GB held their own against the top teams, including many Olympic-bound opponents.
"It helped a lot," replied Leedham. "Each team you face, you learn different things as they expose you in different ways and you know what you have to work on.
"That's what's been great about all the teams we played and to play a team like the USA who are so athletically-talented, you can't match that. We found out a lot about ourselves, which is really important."
Asked for her highlights during the warm-up campaign, Leedham replied: "Going to Turkey and then getting that win in Czech Republic was amazing.
"I think it really brought us together as a team and it was a really big milestone for us.
"I guess the biggest thing was playing the USA. We were all sitting around the other night thinking that we were on the court with Diana Taurasi, and people you'd grown up watching.
"It was crazy being on the court with them and we were competing with them; we held our own against that side. To compete with people like that is unbelievable and it injects a crazy amount of confidence and belief in ourselves."
She added: "The France game was huge too. In the final game of a three-day tournament, that was where we finally showed how the GB women's basketball team plays.
"That was a good performance and a good milestone for us as well."
As she arrives in the Athletes' Village, Leedham is excited about the prospect of what a successful campaign could do for the women's game here.
"I hope we inspire younger generations, and also inspire some hope and confidence into female basketball in this country, help develop it and take it to new levels.
"That's what I really hope; female basketball is taken to a new level and taken more seriously in this country."
She added: "I would like to say to the fans, thank you very much for your support so far, I hope it continues throughout this summer.
"Get behind the GB women because we are a fun team to watch and us girls have got game too!"
Great Britain open their Olympic campaign on Saturday evening when they take on Australia.
