A statue for former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is unveiled during a ceremony at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena. Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Lakers unveil statue honoring late HOFer Kobe Bryant

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/8/24

The Los Angeles Lakers immortalized Kobe Bryant, unveiling a statue of the late Hall of Famer Thursday outside Crypto.com Arena.

Before the reveal, Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared with those in attendance one of the Laker great's favorite quotes.

"'Leave the game better than you found it, and when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend,'" she said. "And that, he did."

Vanessa Bryant unveils Kobe's statue outside of "The House that Kobe Built" ♾️ pic.twitter.com/cNq3k5Q60Q
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 9, 2024

The unveiling date, Feb. 8, 2024, was done on purpose, blending the numbers Bryant wore with the Lakers, No. 8 and No. 24, along with No. 2, worn by daughter Gianna.

According to Vanessa, the statue's pose, featuring Bryant pointing to the sky triumphantly, was his choice, and she had a hilariously sharp message for anyone critical of it.

"For the record, Kobe picked the pose you're about to see," she said. "So if anybody has any issue with it, tough s---."

The event featured a who's who of legendary Lakers and teammates from Kobe's career. Jeanie Buss, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher, Stu Lantz and Phil Jackson were among the speakers.

The statue is one of three of Bryant that will go up outside Crypto.com Arena. The first, on Thursday, features Bryant wearing No. 8, while the two others will include one with him donning No. 24 and another side-by-side with Gianna.

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