Lakers to unveil Kobe Bryant statue in February 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers will honor basketball legend Kobe Bryant as they're set to unveil a bronze statue of his image in February next year.
The news was announced by Kobe's wife Vanessa in a video posted to the Lakers' social media accounts, where she disclosed that the statue will be revealed at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 8, 2024, prior to the Lakers’ home game that evening.
"Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA (National Basketball Association)career as a Los Angeles Laker. Since arriving in the city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels," Vanessa opened her statement.
"On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters, and me, I am so honored that, right here in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as 'The House that Kobe Built,' we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever," she added.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss meanwhile said in a statement, "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."
"There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements," she added.
The ceremony of the statue's unveiling will be held outside the arena. With this, Bryant is set to be the seventh member of the Lakers organization to have his legacy immortalized through a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and broadcaster Chick Hearn.
The world was shocked when news came that Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bryant won his team five NBA championships and received Finals MVP honors before retiring after the 70th season of NBA because of physical decline.
He was later enshrined posthumously in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.