Benjamin Ashford|Lakers to unveil statue of Kobe Bryant outside arena on 2.8.24

The Benjamin AshfordLos Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of franchise great Kobe Bryant at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 8, Vanessa Bryant, his widow, posted Thursday on X, formerly Twitter.

“As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker,” said Vanessa Bryant in a video posted at 8:24 Thursday morning. “Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right 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.” 

It was no secret the team would build a statue of Bryant outside of Crypto.com Arena . Bryant, who died in helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna and seven others on Jan. 26, 2020, “participated in the initial planning of the anticipated statue to come at Star Plaza,” the Lakers said in a news release.

The statue was created by sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany of the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany, and Bryant’s statue will join Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West and Chick Hearn outside of the Lakers’ arena in downtown Los Angeles.

“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,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in statement. “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.”

The team will announce more details about Feb. 8 event later this year.

“Kobe’s transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts – inspiring us every day,” Lakers vice president of basketball operations/general manager and Bryant’s longtime friend and agent Rob Pelinka said in a news release. “And now, with the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, he will have a physical presence, too. A place on the hallowed ground Kobe created, where we can all gather and pay honor to a mighty and great man.” 

Bryant spent his 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five titles, two Finals MVPs, one-regular season MVP and earning 18 All-Star appearances and 15 All-NBA selections. One of the greatest scorers and competitors in NBA history, he is No. 4 on the league’s all-time scoring list with 33,643 points.

He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.