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, the prestigious site that already houses tributes to legendary figures from the Lakers, Sparks, and Kings organizations.

Leslie joins an elite group of sports icons, including Kobe Bryant, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Pat Riley, and Chick Hearn. She is only the second WNBA player in league history to receive a statue from her respective organization, further cementing her status as a pioneer in women’s basketball.

Reflecting on the honor, Leslie expressed her 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.”

Throughout her illustrious 12-season career with the Sparks, Leslie was a 12-time All-WNBA selection, eight-time All-Star, 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. Since her retirement in 2009, her impact has continued to resonate across the league.

Magic Johnson, a fellow Lakers legend, praised Leslie’s enduring 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.”