Los Angeles: Lakers' Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling Gets Official Date!

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to honor the legacy of Kobe Bryant by unveiling a statue in his honor outside the Crypto.com Arena, according to PEOPLE.

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant's widow, announced this news in a video on the Lakers' Instagram page. The statue is scheduled to be revealed on February 8, 2024.

Kobe Bryant, a beloved NBA superstar, tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020 with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

The statue's unveiling date holds special significance to commemorate his impact on and off the court.

Kobe wore the jersey numbers 8 and 24 during his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, while his daughter Gianna wore the number 2 when she played basketball. Thus, the date chosen for the statue unveiling is 2/8/24.

Interestingly, Kobe himself was involved in planning the statue before his untimely passing. This statue will make him the seventh Lakers player to be honored with such a tribute.

Notable Lakers legends such as Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn have previously received similar honors.

The Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant Statue

The statue of Kobe Bryant that will be featured outside the Los Angeles Lakers' Crypto.com Arena was created by the renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany from the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany.

The ceremony to unveil the statue is scheduled for February 8 and will occur outside the arena. More details about the ceremony will be provided in the coming months, per NBA News.

Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka shared his thoughts on the statue, emphasizing that Kobe Bryant's spirit continues to inspire and impact people's lives every day.

He noted that the statue will not only serve as a physical representation of Kobe but will also hold a special place because Kobe himself helped establish it.

Kobe Bryant's Career

Kobe Bryant, a remarkable figure in basketball, achieved the incredible feat of retiring as a 20-season veteran with a single NBA franchise, NBA noted.

An iconic 18-time NBA All-Star, Bryant's legacy is anchored in his unwavering 'Mamba Mentality,' a mindset that drove him to unprecedented success.

His pivotal role in guiding the Lakers to five NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) remains a testament to his exceptional talent and leadership.

Bryant's indelible mark extends to individual accolades, earning him the coveted title of Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010.

Garnering the NBA's Most Valuable Player award in 2008, he solidified his position as one of the game's greatest players.

His remarkable record includes 15 All-NBA honors, 11 First Team selections, and 12 All-Defensive Team selections, nine of which were First Team honors.

As a Hall-of-Famer and two-time Olympic gold medalist, he stands as the franchise's all-time leader in multiple categories: regular season games played (1,346), points (33,643), 3-pointers made (1,827), steals (1,944), and free throws made (8,378).

His influence also reigns supreme in playoff records, including games played (220), points (5,640), 3-pointers made (292), and free throws made (1,320).

Bryant's exceptional scoring prowess was epitomized by his record-setting career-high and franchise-best 81-point game on January 22, 2006, against Toronto.

His impact on the Los Angeles Lakers legacy is immortalized by the retirement of his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys on December 18, 2017, a tribute to his undeniable contribution to the team's history.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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