On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers revealed a statue of Kobe Bryant as a tribute to their late superstar, standing at 19 feet tall in bronze outside their downtown arena.
The 4,000 pound statue captures Bryant in his white No 8 jersey, with his right index finger raised as he exited the court after his remarkable 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.
During the dedication ceremony, Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, announced that the statue is the first of three planned to honor the five-time NBA champion and leading scorer in Lakers history. The subsequent statue will portray Bryant wearing his No. 24 jersey, which he adopted for the latter part of his career, while the third will feature Bryant alongside his daughter, Gianna, who tragically perished with him and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
“This statue embodies not just the likeness of Kobe, but the essence of excellence,” remarked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “It represents discipline, commitment, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. It portrays a person captured in a moment of time, yet it also acknowledges that the reason for this statue’s existence is because Kobe Bryant transcends time. Today, we gather to pay homage to a man who epitomizes not only extraordinary athletic achievements but also timeless values that inspire us all to strive for not just improvement, but our utmost best.”
The unveiling ceremony for the first statue drew dozens of Lakers legends and hundreds of season ticket holders. Following remarks from team owner Jeanie Buss, former teammate Derek Fisher, Abdul-Jabbar, and longtime Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Vanessa Bryant addressed the audience.
“I think of Kobe and Gigi constantly, and the depth of my longing for them cannot be expressed in words,” expressed Buss. “Yet today, I find solace in knowing that in the years to come, fans will gather here, under the shade of this statue, by this arena where Kobe created countless memories for us. We will share our reflections on what he meant to us, and in doing so, we will instill the Mamba Mentality in a new generation.”
Bryant retired in 2016 after an illustrious 20-year career exclusively with the Lakers. His legacy includes being the fourth-highest scorer in NBA history with 33,643 points, along with 18 NBA All-Star selections and two NBA Finals MVP awards.
Despite his untimely passing, Bryant’s presence continues to shine brightly in Los Angeles, where he remains a cherished icon of the city. His image, along with his daughter’s, adorns numerous vibrant public murals throughout the Southland.
