A statue in honor of the late-Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant will be unveiled outside the Crypto.com Arena next year following the death of the NBA superstar and his daughter Gianna in January 2020.
Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant posted a video for fans on Thursday morning announcing that right in the place “known as the house Kobe built,” there will be a statue honoring the five-time champion and his 20 years with the Lakers.
“As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker,” Bryant said. “Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels.”
Vanessa Bryant and the Lakers announced that a statue honoring Kobe Bryant will be unveiled outside "The House That Kobe Built" on 2-8-24 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/0OG6OhsBjy
— ESPN (@espn) August 24, 2023
“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,” she added.
The statue will be officially unveiled on February 8, 2024, with Bryant joining the likes of other famed Lakers who have also been honored with statues — such as Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
“Kobe’s transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts – inspiring us every day,” Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers Vice president of basketball operations and general manager, said. “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.”
The numbers 2, 8, and 24 definitely have a significance for the late professional and his daughter, who was also killed in 2020 when the helicopter they were riding in crashed.
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Bryant wore the Nos. 8 and 24 on his jersey during his legendary career and Gianna sported the No. 2 during her time on the court, TMZ noted.
“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,” Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers governor, said. “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.”