Lisa Leslie Honored with Statue at Crypto.com Arena

Get ready to celebrate a true basketball legend! Lisa Leslie, a powerhouse who dominated the WNBA for years, is set to be honored with her very own statue outside the iconic Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This is a monumental achievement, marking her as the first WNBA player to receive such a prestigious tribute at the arena.

A Legacy Cemented in Bronze

The ceremony is scheduled for September 20th, and Leslie will join an elite group of sports figures already immortalized outside the arena, including basketball greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant. For Leslie, a Compton-born star who played for the Los Angeles Sparks, this honor is deeply personal.

Leslie, who is 53, expressed her surprise and gratitude to the Los Angeles Times, stating that a statue had never even been on her bucket list. “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 L.A. Sparks,” she shared. She hopes the community will rally around this new landmark.

An Unparalleled Career

During her incredible 12-season career with the Sparks, Lisa Leslie wasn’t just a player; she was a force of nature. She led the team to their first two WNBA championships and earned the MVP award an astonishing three times. Her impact on the game is undeniable, and she’s also a four-time Olympic gold medalist, proudly representing Team USA in multiple games.

Leslie made history as the first player to dunk in a WNBA game, a feat that showcased her athleticism and broke barriers for women in sports. When she retired in 2009, the Sparks organization showed their immense respect by retiring her iconic No. 9 jersey.

Paving the Way for Others

While Leslie will be the first WNBA player honored at Crypto.com Arena, she follows in the footsteps of Sue Bird, who received a statue in Washington to celebrate her contributions to the Seattle Storm. Leslie’s statue in Los Angeles, “the city that raised me,” signifies her deep connection to the community and her role as a lasting role model.

To be cemented in Los Angeles, the city that raised me, I couldn’t be more proud to be a role model forever! God has blessed me and I have truly given my all to this sport and our community. — Lisa Leslie

Leslie attributes her success to the unwavering support of her coaches, teammates, fans, and especially her family and friends, emphasizing the strength of her “pack.” This statue is not just a recognition of her individual achievements but a testament to the power of teamwork and community.