The Los Angeles Lakers are finding yet another way to immortalize Kobe Bryant. Kobe, who died in a helicopter accident in 2020, played his entire basketball career with the organization. A day after honoring him on what would have been his 45th birthday, the team announced that it is going to be erecting a statue of him in front of the Crypto.com arena (formerly the Staples Center). Kobe’s widow, Vanessa, was part of the reveal, recording a video announcement that was shared by the Lakers on Instagram. In the video, Vanessa honored her husband and his legacy.
More from CafeMom: Kobe & Gianna Bryant Memorialized With a Sweet Sculpture at Site of Their Fatal Crash
The statue will be in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
"As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker," Vanessa says in the video. "Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels."
"On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as 'The House That Kobe Built,' we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever," she shares in the video.
The date chosen for the big statue reveal is so important.
The video post was captioned "Kobe’s legacy immortalized 2•8•24." The date holds a significance to both Kobe and his daughter Gianna, who also died in the accident at the age of 13.
During his time as a Laker, Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers were 8 and 24. Those numbers were retired in December of 2017. Gianna wore the number 2 on her basketball jersey, hence the reveal date of 2/8/24.
There will be a special Lakers game on the day of the unveiling.
More from CafeMom: Vanessa Bryant Reflects on Passing of Daughter Gianna as Her School Retires Her Jersey
A Lakers statue is a special honor.
Kobe was actually involved in the initial planning process of the statue, the Lakers revealed in a statement. The team also shared that he is 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.
Julie Rotblatt Amrany of the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany created the statue.
The Lakers continue to honor Kobe's legacy.
"Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time, and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles," Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers Governor, shared in the statement. "There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements."
"Kobe’s transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts – inspiring us every day," Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka noted in the statement. "And now, with the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, he will have a physical presence, too. A place on the hallowed ground Kobe created, where we can all gather and pay honor to a mighty and great man."
Fans wish Kobe could be here to see this.
Fans flooded the comments to share their joy and celebrate Kobe.
"We waited so long for this. I shed a tear man … RIP MAMBA!!!" one person wrote.
Another person added, "I love it! 2 for GiGi, 8 & 24 for Kobe. I knew something was off about that rumored 08/08/2024 date."
There's no doubt this will be a special day for Vanessa and her family.
