Lisa Leslie Honored with Statue Outside Crypto.com Arena as First Sparks Star
Lisa Leslie to Receive Statue at Crypto.com Arena
Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie is set to be honored with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, marking a historic moment for the WNBA and the Los Angeles Sparks. After fifteen years since her jersey retirement—an event that left her as the only Sparks player to join the ranks of legends outside the venue—the upcoming tribute reflects years of fan advocacy for her recognition.
Leslie will become the second WNBA player to receive a statue, joining Sue Bird in Seattle. “One thing I never had on my bucket list was a statue,” Leslie remarked. “I grew up seeing the statues of some of the amazing Lakers, so I’m just really grateful to be alive and to be one of the first, especially in the WNBA for the L.A. Sparks. It means a lot to me, and I’m really hoping that our community will really rally around it.”
The Sparks announced on Thursday that the statue will be unveiled during a ceremony on September 20, prior to a game against the Portland Fire.
During her distinguished 12-year career with the Sparks, Leslie secured three WNBA titles and earned league MVP honors. She also claimed four Olympic gold medals and made history as the first player in the WNBA to dunk in a game. Her No. 9 jersey was retired in 2010, further solidifying her legacy.
Leslie, one of the original Sparks players since the franchise’s inception in 1997, holds multiple records with the team, including most career points, rebounds, and blocks. She ranks third in WNBA history for blocks and double-doubles.
Magic Johnson, fellow statue honoree and Lakers legend, expressed his admiration for Leslie in a news release. "I’ve known Lisa for nearly three decades and believe that she is beyond deserving of this incredible honor,” he stated. “She was the driving force behind bringing back-to-back championships to the Los Angeles Sparks franchise in 2000 and 2001. More than an athlete, she is a pioneer, a cultural icon and a force who elevated women’s basketball to new heights.”
Johnson, part of the Sparks ownership group, has acknowledged previous struggles within the franchise and has committed to implementing significant changes, including a new practice facility and the installation of Leslie’s statue.
Leslie noted that fan support for a statue began surfacing in 2019, and with this year marking the 30th anniversary season, the timing feels auspicious. “It couldn’t be better with the new facility coming, the new CBA, everything is aligning so properly,” she said.
The statue, crafted by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany, will stand alongside 15 other sports icons outside Crypto.com Arena, including Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant.
“I hope she looks good,” Leslie commented regarding her statue. “People don’t realize how hard it is to make a statue look good. They helped me be super specific about every little detail, down to my earlobe and fingernail tip. So I’m excited about all the little details that have been added that people can kind of find on their own as well.”
