The Lakers Reveal the First of 3 Statues of Kobe Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers have commemorated Kobe Bryant, the late basketball icon, by unveiling the first of three statues in his honor outside the Crypto.com Arena. The statue captures a memorable moment from Bryant’s career: he points to the sky after scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, marking the second-highest point total in a single NBA game. Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife, revealed that Kobe chose the pose for the statue. The statue, created by artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany, features specific elements requested by Vanessa, including an inscription of Bryant’s career achievements, a QR code linking to his highlights, and replicas of his five championship trophies. It also includes a tribute to Bryant’s role as a father, showcasing a tattoo with the names of his four daughters. The statue celebrates Bryant’s legacy on the court and his impact as a leader and family man, as echoed by former teammates and Lakers legends. Two more statues are planned, with one depicting Bryant with his daughter Gianna, who tragically died with him in a helicopter crash in 2020.

Source: NPR