For the past couple of years, there has reportedly been a Kobe Bryant statue in the works to be placed outside Staples Center, joining other Lakers legends. On Thursday, the Lakers and Vanessa Bryant announced the statue would be unveiled on February 8, 2024, when the Lakers host the Nuggets.
Kobe’s legacy immortalized.
2•8•24 pic.twitter.com/WHQBXZJ2gD
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 24, 2023
Both the date of the announcement and the date of the unveiling are significant, as August 24 is known in Los Angeles as Mamba Day, as Bryant wore both 8 and 24 for the Lakers in his 20-year career with the team. The unveiling being on February 8, 2024, also includes the numbers eight and 24.
“Since arriving in the city and joining the Lakers, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. I’m so honored that right in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as ‘The House That Kobe Built,’ we are going to unveil a statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever.” Vanessa Bryant said in the announcement video.
Kobe had no shortage of accolades in his time with the Lakers, winning five NBA Championships, one MVP, being named to 18 All-Star Teams, and having both 8 and 24 retired by the team.
Bryant retired from the Lakers following the 2016 season and was tragically killed in a helicopter crash along with six others in January 2020. The crash also claimed the life of his daughter, Gianna, who wore #2, adding to the significance of the unveiling date. Kobe was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame that year and named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team in 2021.
Media members, former teammates, and fans had plenty to say about the announcement.
We all knew this day would come. It’s more than well deserved.I wish my boy was here to witness this, I wonder if it will be Afro Kobe or Caesar cut Kobe. Would the franchise consider renaming the Lakers after him… “The Kobe’s” LOL https://t.co/dwc1yDf6Z6
— LAMAR ODOM (@LamarOdom) August 24, 2023
Happy Mamba Day! 💜🥹 https://t.co/5497pUsh8M
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) August 24, 2023
The Lakers will unveil a statue honoring franchise great Kobe Bryant in February. The date holds extra meaning, representing the uniform No. 2 of the Bryant family’s daughter, Gigi, as well as Kobe’s familiar No. 8 & 24. LAL hosts the defending-champion Nuggets that night. https://t.co/IBmm11WZ4J
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) August 24, 2023
On 8/24 at 8:24 a.m., the Lakers announce their plans for Kobe Bryant’s statue outside CryptoCom Arena. https://t.co/3k2J2yMu37
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) August 24, 2023
— NBA (@NBA) August 24, 2023
Everything about Kobe and Gigi will always get me emotional
That man was such a source of pure joy and admiration for me for my entire childhood and early adulthood
Mamba Mentality 🐍 ♾️ https://t.co/5NbgAZBSD9
— #HowDoYouKFC (@Miles_Johnson_) August 24, 2023
