Lisa Leslie already has just about every accolade possible. She is a Hall of Famer, a two-time WNBA champion, and her jersey hangs in the rafters at Crypto.com Arena.
Now, her statue will also be present in front of the building at Star Plaza. The Los Angeles Sparks have announced they will unveil her statue before they play the Portland Fire on Sept. 20.
Leslie is just the second WNBA player to get a statue. The first being Sue Bird of the Storm, whose statue was unveiled last season in Seattle.
In a press release, Lisa Leslie discussed what this moment means to her.
“To be cemented in Los Angeles, the city that raised me, I couldn’t be more proud to be a role model forever!” said WNBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie. “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.”
Leslie played all 12 seasons of her WNBA career with the Sparks. She won back-to-back titles with LA in 2001 and 2002. Leslie was also a three-time MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, an eight-time All-Star, an eight-time All-WNBA First Team player, and a three-time WNBA All-Defense First Team selection.
Magic Johnson also made a statement regarding Leslie getting a statue made in her honor via a press release.
“I’ve known Lisa for nearly three decades and believe that she is beyond deserving of this incredible honor. She was the driving force behind bringing back-to-back championships to the Los Angeles Sparks franchise in 2000 and 2001, and Lisa’s hard work and commitment has made her one of the best to ever play the game. Lisa’s legacy isn’t just measured by championships and accolades, though; it’s defined by the doors she opened and the standard she set for generations to come,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “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.”
The statue was created by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany. They made plenty of statues that call Star Plaza home, including the Kobe Bryant and Gigi statue, the Pat Riley statue and the Jerry West statue.
Leslie’s statue will be unveiled on Sunday, Sept. 20, before the Sparks take on the Fire, making this game a marquee matchup and an iconic and historic event for the franchise.
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