The Los Angeles Lakers said Thursday that they will honor the late Kobe Bryant with a statue of the Hall of Fame guard in front of their arena.
On February 8, 2024, a bronze monument of Bryant will be erected at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena before the Lakers' game against the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's wife, made the news in a social media video on what the club has called "Kobe Day" – the eighth month and 24th day, which correspond to Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24.
"Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker," Vanessa Bryant explained. "Since moving to Los Angeles and joining the Lakers organization, he has felt at home playing in the City of Angels."
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"On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters, and I, I am so honored that we will unveil his statue right in the heart of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as the house that Kobe built, so that his legacy can be celebrated forever."
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, retired in 2016 as the first player in NBA history to play for a single team for at least 20 seasons.
On January 26, 2020, at the age of 41, he was murdered in a helicopter crash together with his daughter Gianna and seven others.
Bryant's remarkable legacy includes:
- Helping the Lakers win five NBA titles from 2000 to 2010.
- Winning the NBA Finals MVP award in 2009 and 2010.
- Winning the NBA MVP award in 2008.
He made the All-NBA First Team 11 times and the All-Defensive First Team nine times.
Bryant is the Lakers' all-time leader in the regular season, scoring 33,643 points, games played 1,346, steals 1,944, 3-pointers made with 1,827, and free throws with 8,378.
According to the Lakers, Bryant was a part of the initial ideas for an upcoming statue at the arena, which artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany sculpted.
Bryant's statue will be placed beside statues of Lakers legends Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn.
"Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time, and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles," said Lakers owner Jeanie Buss in a statement.
"There is no better place to honor Kobe with a statue than here, in the heart of our city, where everyone can celebrate and be inspired by his incredible achievements."
Bryant won the NBA scoring title in 2006 and 2007, and he set a career-high and team record with 81 points against Toronto on January 22, 2006. In 2017, his jersey numbers were retired.
"Kobe's transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts -- inspiring us every day," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka stated.
"With the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, he will have a physical presence, too."
