The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of the late legend Kobe Bryant on Feb. 8, 2024, according to an announcement made by the team on “Mamba Day.”
Lakers to unveil Kobe statue on 2/8/24 pic.twitter.com/auW51c8E9Y
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 24, 2023
The statement also notes that:
“Following his retirement, Kobe Bryant participated in the initial planning of the anticipated statue to come at Star Plaza. This is a first in a series of physical tributes to honor his legacy. Bryant will be the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a statue, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn.”
"Always & forever in our hearts." pic.twitter.com/PfHr3TX2qp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 24, 2023
Lakers to Unveil Kobe Bryant Statue on Feb. 8, 2024
Background
One of the greatest NBA players of all time, the Hall-of-Famer Bryant spent his entire 20-year career donning purple and gold. He was the first player to ever spend at least two decades with one franchise. Bryant had many timeless memories in a Lakers uniform, and etched his Laker legacy with each new accomplishment. Among other accolades, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, Olympic gold medalist, 18-time All Star, and the 2007-08 MVP. He was also named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and won an Oscar in 2018 for his animated short film, “Dear Basketball.”
Bryant was a relentless scorer and oftentimes put up video-game numbers in NBA games. He embarked on a nine-game streak of scoring 40-plus points in 2003, and famously dropped 81 against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006—the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. Although he averaged 25 points per game over 20 years, Kobe’s true impact goes well beyond the box score.
In recent years, Bryant mentored the league’s next generation of stars, propelling them to reach their own levels of greatness. He has several videos full of inspirational wisdom applicable to life beyond basketball. Additionally, Bryant’s teammates, competitors and mentees have shared countless stories about the NBA legend, whether it was his insane work ethic—the “Mamba Mentality—or the trash talk that he backed up on the court.
In countless ways, Kobe made his mark on the NBA and the game of basketball as a whole. After his tragic passing in 2020, his memory lives on, soon to be immortalized in front of “The House That Kobe Built.”
What the Kobe Bryant Statue Could Look Like
For years, fans have speculated on what a potential Bryant statue would look like. Some have pointed to his fadeaway jumper, while others have argued his scorers table celebration after winning the 2010 title would be appropriate.
Whatever is chosen, the statue is a perfect reflection of Kobe’s legacy with the Lakers. It’s fitting that it will happen on a date that honors Bryant and his daughter, Gigi.
The Last Word
“Mamba Day” has meant a lot to Lakers and NBA fans worldwide, even more so in the past few years. This announcement gives fans something to look forward to, as Bryant’s memory and legacy will be enshrined in bronze forever.
