In a powerful tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a towering 19-foot bronze statue at Crypto.com Arena, immortalizing the iconic basketball legend in his No. 8 uniform.
In a monumental tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled the first of three bronze statues celebrating his iconic career. Standing at an imposing 19 feet and weighing 4,000 pounds, the statue captures Bryant in his No. 8 uniform, finger pointed skyward, immortalizing his unforgettable 81-point game against the Raptors in 2006. The emotional ceremony, held on Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, featured Lakers luminaries, including Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, who boldly asserted that Kobe personally chose the pose.
The statue, perched on a black, triangle-shaped base, pays homage to the famed triangle offense of Lakers coaching legends Phil Jackson and Tex Winter. A poignant quote from Bryant adorns the base, urging players to “leave the game better than you found it” and to “leave a legend” upon departure. Adding a modern touch, a QR code on the statue allows fans to scan and access a highlight video narrated by Denzel Washington.
The two remaining statues, featuring Bryant in his No. 24 jersey and a tribute to his daughter, Gianna, are yet to have their location and unveiling dates confirmed. Rob Pelinka, Bryant’s longtime friend and Lakers executive, expressed that the decision for three statues was fitting for the impact Kobe had on the City of Angels.
The ceremony included heartfelt speeches from Lakers figures like Jeanie Buss, Derek Fisher, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Phil Jackson. Abdul-Jabbar eloquently described the statue as embodying not just Kobe’s likeness but also excellence, discipline, commitment, and love of family.
The guest list at the invite-only event comprised Bryant’s family, former teammates, coaches, and friends from both sports and pop culture. The bronze masterpiece was crafted by sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, renowned for her work on statues of Michael Jordan, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn.
The unveiling served as a poignant reminder of Bryant’s impact on and off the court, inspiring a new generation of players and leaving an indelible mark on the history of the game he loved.
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