Lisa Leslie Honored With Statue Outside of Crypto.com Arena
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie is set to be immortalized with a statue at Crypto.com Arena, joining an elite group of Los Angeles sports icons.
Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie is set to be memorialized with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles this September. The two-time WNBA champion, three-time MVP, and four-time Olympic gold medalist will be honored with a ceremony on Sept. 20 in the Star Plaza, located outside the home of the Sparks and Lakers.
She joins a prestigious list of Los Angeles sports legends, including Kobe Bryant, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Pat Riley, and Chick Hearn. The plaza also features statues of NHL stars Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Dustin Brown, and Bob Miller, as well as boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
Leslie is only the second WNBA player in league history to receive a statue from her respective organization. Reflecting on the honor, she expressed deep gratitude for her roots in Los Angeles.
“To be cemented in Los Angeles, the city that raised me, I couldn’t be more proud to be a role model forever!” Leslie said in a statement. “God has blessed me and I have truly given my all to this sport and our community. I am thankful to my coaches, teammates, incredible fans, and, most importantly, my family and friends. As the saying goes, ‘The wolf is only as strong as the pack,’ and I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing pack supporting me every step of the way.”
Throughout her storied 12-season career with the Sparks, Leslie was a 12-time All-WNBA selection, eight-time All-Star, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time All-Star MVP. She remains the Sparks’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals, free throws, minutes, and games played.
Magic Johnson lauded her contributions, stating, “More than an athlete, she is a pioneer, a cultural icon and a force who elevated women’s basketball to new heights. This statue celebrates her excellence, her leadership and the future she helped create, and it ensures her impact will forever be part of the fabric of this city.”
Leslie retired in 2009 and had her #9 jersey retired the following year. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.