Los Angeles Lakers announces date for Kobe Bryant’s statue unveiling

The Los Angeles Lakers will install a statue honouring the former NBA superstar on this day, according to Vanessa Bryant, the late Kobe Bryant’s widow, who made the announcement on Thursday.

On February 8, 2024, the team that her husband spent his whole career playing for will debut the statue, according to Bryant. This date is significant because the five-time champion wore the numbers 8 and 24 on his jersey.

 

In a video that was published on Thursday morning at 8:24 a.m., Bryant sat in front of the now-iconic jersey numbers and said, “As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker.”

 

 

He felt at home playing in the City of Angels ever since moving here and joined the Lakers organisation.
I am incredibly honoured that we will unveil Kobe’s statue in front of the location known as the house he constructed in the heart of Los Angeles so that his legacy can be permanently cherished on behalf of the Lakers, my girls, and myself.

Prior to that night’s home game, the Lakers announced that the bronze monument would be placed at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena.

Before his untimely passing on January 26, 2020, Kobe participated in “initial planning of the anticipated statue,” the team claims.

 

Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, 13, and Bryant, 41, were both killed in the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with eight other persons.

 

The statue, according to the Lakers, “is the first of a series of physical tributes to honour his legacy.”

 

Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and one of the most recognisable figures in Los Angeles history, according to Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss.

 

“This is the best location for Kobe to receive a statue because everyone can come here to honour him and draw inspiration from him and his extraordinary accomplishments.

Over the course of his illustrious career, in which he won five NBA titles, Bryant was selected to the NBA 18 times.

He is the Lakers’ all-time leader in regular season games played, points, three-pointers made, steals, and free throws made. He is also the franchise leader in postseason games played, points, three-pointers made, and free throws made. He is known for having a “Mamba Mentality” and is known for being a dominant player.

Source: CNN News.