Lisa Leslie Honored With Statue Outside of Crypto.com Arena
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 group of Los Angeles sports icons, including Kobe Bryant, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, coach Pat Riley, and broadcaster Chick Hearn. The plaza also features NHL stars Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Dustin Brown, and broadcaster 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 the city that shaped her career.
“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 illustrious 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, a fellow Los Angeles icon, praised her lasting legacy. “More than an athlete, she is a pioneer, a cultural icon and a force who elevated women’s basketball to new heights,” Johnson commented. “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, had her #9 jersey retired the following year, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.