The Lakers will unveil a Kobe Bryant statue on 2.8.24

On 2.8.24, fans can forever pay tribute to beloved Lakers legend and five-time champion Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers and Vanessa Bryant announced today that they will unveil a bronze statue of Kobe Bryant at the Star Plaza outside the Crypto.com arena on February 8, 2024, prior to the Lakers home game that evening.

“As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year career in the NBA as a player for the Los Angeles Lakers,” Vanessa Bryant said in a video to fans posted at 8:24 a.m. this morning. “Since he arrived in this city and joined the Lakers organization, he has felt at home here, having played in the City of Angels. On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters, and I, I am very honored that in downtown Los Angeles, in front of the place known as the house that Kobe built, we will unveil his statue So that his legacy can live on. He will be celebrated forever.”

After retiring, Kobe Bryant was involved in the initial planning for the statue expected to be at Star Plaza. This is the first in a series of physical homages to honor his legacy. Bryant will be the seventh Laker team to be honored with a statue, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Irvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West and Chick Hearn. The statue was created by renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrani of Rotblat-Amrani’s fine arts studio.

“Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes ever, and one of the most iconic individuals in Los Angeles history,” said Los Angeles Lakers referee Jenny Buss. “There is no better place to honor Kobe with a statue than here, in our downtown, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his amazing accomplishments.”

The February 8th ceremony will be off the field and details will be released in the coming months.

“Kobe’s transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts — and he inspires us every single day,” said Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. “And now, with the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, it will also have a physical presence. A place on the sacred ground that Kobe created, where we can all come together and honor a great and great man.”

Bryant, who made the All-Star Team 18 times, retired as the first player in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons with one franchise. Known for his mamba mentality, Bryant helped guide the Lakers to five NBA championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) and was named Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. Voted the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008, Bryant has taken home all the accolades – he has been an NBA honoree 15 times, including 11 first-team selections, and has been named to 12 All-Defensive Teams throughout his career, including nine honors For the defensive first team.

The Hall of Famer and two-time Olympic gold medalist stands as the all-time purple and gold leader in regular season games played (1,346), points made (33,643), three-pointers made (1,827), steals (1,944) and free throws made (8378) , with owning playoff records for games played (220), points (5,640), three-pointers (292), and free throws made (1,320). A two-time scoring champion, Bryant scored a career-high and best 81 points on January 22, 2006, at home versus Toronto. The Lakers retired Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jersey on December 18, 2017.

Tickets for the special Lakers game on February 8, as well as the entire 2023-24 season, are available now Available starting August 25th at 12 noon PST.