Kobe Bryant to be immortalized via statue at arena
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The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to pay tribute to the late Kobe Bryant by unveiling a bronze statue of the Hall of Fame guard on February 8, 2024.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant looks toward the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jan. 8, 2016, in Los Angeles (AP)
The NBA's Los Angeles Lakers are set to honor the memory of Kobe Bryant by erecting a statue of the renowned Hall of Fame guard outside their arena, as announced by the team on Thursday.
A statue made of bronze portraying Bryant will be revealed on February 8, 2024, at Star Plaza located in front of Crypto.com Arena.
This unveiling will coincide with a game between the Lakers and the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets.
Vanessa Bryant, the wife of Kobe Bryant, shared this news through a video posted on social media on a day designated as "Kobe Day" by the club.
This date, August 24th, corresponds with Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24.
In her statement, Vanessa Bryant expressed, "Kobe dedicated his entire 20-year NBA career to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Upon his arrival in this city and his association with the Lakers organization, he developed a strong connection here, playing within the City of Angels."
She continued, "On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters, and myself, I am deeply honored that his statue will be unveiled right in the heart of Los Angeles, in front of the arena often referred to as the 'house that Kobe built.' This gesture will ensure that his legacy is perpetually celebrated."
Kobe Bryant, who participated in 18 NBA All-Star events, concluded his career in 2016 as the inaugural player in NBA history to complete two decades with a single team.
Unfortunately, his life was tragically cut short on January 26, 2020, when he passed away at the age of 41 along with his daughter Gianna and seven others due to a helicopter crash.
Among his remarkable achievements, Bryant contributed significantly to the Lakers securing five NBA championships between 2000 and 2010. He was twice named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 2009 and 2010, in addition to earning the NBA MVP award in 2008.
Furthermore, he received the All-NBA First Team distinction 11 times and the All-Defensive First Team recognition nine times.
Notably, Bryant, a dual Olympic gold medalist, holds the Lakers' records for regular season scoring with 33,643 points, games played at 1,346, steals at 1,944, successful 3-pointers at 1,827, and accomplished free throws at 8,378.
