Take a look back at the career of the iconic Lakers star and Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant.
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced their plan to honor Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant with a statue outside the arena, where he spent the majority of his career. This creative tribute will be unveiled on February 8, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena.
The specific date of the unveiling holds significance, as it aligns with Bryant’s jersey numbers during his Lakers tenure (Nos. 8 and 24). August 24, known as “Kobe Day,” marked the announcement of the statue, made by Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, in a video addressed to fans.
The statue will be revealed at Star Plaza, located outside the stadium, prior to the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets at 10 p.m. ET on the same day. Kobe Bryant becomes the sixth former Lakers player and seventh team employee to receive such an honor at the arena, their home since 1999.
Vanessa Bryant expressed her gratitude on behalf of herself, her daughters, and the Lakers organization, stating that Kobe felt at home in Los Angeles, where he played his entire 20-year NBA career. The unveiling will symbolize a permanent celebration of his legacy in the heart of the city, at the place affectionately known as the “house that Kobe built.”
Kobe’s legacy immortalized.
2•8•24 pic.twitter.com/WHQBXZJ2gD
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 24, 2023
In January 2020, Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash. The unveiling date, 2/8/24, serves as a poignant tribute to their jersey numbers, with Kobe wearing No. 8 and No. 24, and Gianna wearing No. 2 during her youth basketball activities. They were traveling together to a basketball competition when the helicopter crashed in foggy conditions in Calabasas, California.
The planning for the anticipated statue began with Kobe Bryant himself after his retirement. This unveiling is the first of several physical tributes planned to honor the basketball superstar’s enduring legacy.
Kobe Bryant joins an elite group of Lakers legends outside the arena, including Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn. Star Plaza is also home to statues of the Los Angeles Kings’ Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Dustin Brown, and announcer Bob Miller, as well as champion boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
The sculpture was crafted by the renowned artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany from the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany.
Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss expressed her admiration for Kobe Bryant, calling him one of the most extraordinary athletes and iconic figures in the city’s history. She believes that there is no more fitting location for the statue than the center of Los Angeles, where everyone can celebrate and draw inspiration from his incredible achievements.
The ceremony on February 8 will take place outside the arena. Further details about the event will be revealed in the forthcoming months.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka remarked that Kobe’s spirit will forever live in the hearts of people, but with the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, he will also have a physical presence. It will provide a location on the sacred ground that Kobe created, where fans can gather to pay tribute to a mighty and great man.
Kobe Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, holds the distinction of being the first player in NBA history to spend 20 seasons with a single franchise. Known for his “Mamba Mentality,” he led the Lakers to five NBA titles and earned Finals MVP honors twice. Bryant received numerous accolades throughout his career, including NBA MVP, All-NBA, and All-Defensive Team selections.
As the Lakers’ all-time leader in multiple statistical categories, including regular-season games played, points, 3-pointers made, steals, and free throws made, Kobe Bryant’s impact on the franchise is unparalleled. His career was highlighted by exceptional performances, such as his record-setting 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers retired his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys on December 18, 2017.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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