Sunday was a historic moment for the Los Angeles Sparks franchise.
No, not because they defeated the Portland Fire 105-84 to earn the season series sweep over the expansion team.
It was because they honored the franchise’s first superstar—Lisa Leslie—by unveiling her statue, which now rests in Star Plaza right outside crypto.com Arena for everyone to admire.
The statue is, in a word,
magnificent. It stands 11 feet tall on top of a 4-and-a-half-foot granite base and features all the elements that make Leslie, Leslie.
Her lipstick is clear. Leslie’s ponytail is present. And the statue recreates her iconic slam dunk, the first ever in a WNBA game.
Here’s what Leslie said about her historic honor:
I am beyond happy with how beautiful The First Lady looks because they listened to me.
She got her lipstick on, she has on earrings, she has my family’s names on my bracelets, which probably people can’t see because she’s so big. She’s so ginormous. But it’s gorgeous, and I just love that she has her ponytail, and when little girls walk around and get a chance to see it, they see a woman, The First Lady statue out there. That just means so much to me.
Fans are well aware of the basketball accomplishments Leslie has achieved to earn this honor. She’s a three-time WNBA MVP, won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002 and played all 12 of her WNBA seasons with the Sparks.
However, during the two-plus-hour unveiling ceremony, the focus was not on Leslie the athlete, but Leslie the person. Her husband, Michael Lockwood, sang her praises:
You’ve been a one-of-a-kind example to our children, the WNBA, young men and women, and people all over the world.
Millions of people have had the privilege of watching you, Lisa Leslie, play basketball, but I’ve had the greater privilege. I’ve gotten to know Lisa Leslie Lockwood, the woman. And the woman is even more impressive than a basketball player.
Her sister, Tiffany White, gave Leslie the admiration only a family member can provide, sharing;
I know most of you think that she was born to play basketball. However, I think she was born to be my big sister. God definitely spent extra time on her in that department. And I’m truly grateful for it every day.
And her former teammate at USC and friend for 33 years, Karleen Thompson, explained what makes her special:
Lisa’s character is a rare combination of unstoppable will, unconditional and genuine, selfless love. She lives her life leading with faith, love, and integrity. Constantly pouring into others without ever expecting a single thing in return.
It wasn’t hard to know where Leslie was after the ceremony; all you had to do was follow the roar of the people inside crypto.com Arena. They cheered and screamed her name, asking for pictures, autographs or even just acknowledgment, which Leslie eagerly obliged.
At halftime, the celebration continued. Leslie danced to Juvenile’s “Back That A– Up” while her former head coach Michael Cooper and Thompson egged her on.
Then, Leslie spoke to the packed crowd. Her words were poignant and powerful. She emphasized:
Every opportunity I had was a moment to change the mind of a man who was a hater.
It was a chance to convince somebody who didn’t believe in women’s basketball. It was an opportunity to let a little girl believe that she could be me and my teammates out here. Because it’s all about love and hope, and at the end of the day, it’s more than a sport. It’s an opportunity to change people’s lives.
Leslie was already in rarefied air as a Hall of Famer, with her jersey hanging inside crypto.com Arena. She’s now reached new heights by becoming the first Spark to get a statue, and only the second WNBA player to do so.
And that’s what being a legend and trailblazer is all about. To do what’s impossible and make it achievable.
Leslie has done that, and now her statue will provide that inspiration to everyone who visits it in Star Plaza.
