2023-08-25 04:27:07
It was on August 24, the day of “Mamba Day” in Los Angeles, that Vanessa Bryant announced that a statue of her husband would be unveiled on February 8, 2024 in front of the Los Angeles Lakers hall.
The Los Angeles Lakers will pay tribute to their former star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020, by erecting a bronze statue in his likeness in front of their arena, they announced Thursday.
The artwork by sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany will be unveiled on February 8, 2024 before a game between the Lakers and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets. The 8 and 24 are the two jersey numbers worn by Bryant during his career.
“There is no better place to honor Kobe”
The announcement was made by the player’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, in a video posted on social networks. “Kobe has played his entire career at the Lakers. From the moment he arrived he felt at home in the City of Angels,” she said.
Contrary to what the Daily Mail claimed, the statue will only represent Kobe. The star will not be accompanied on the work by his daughter Gigi: “He is one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time and one of the most emblematic individuals in the history of Los Angeles. He there’s no better place to honor Kobe,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said.
This statue will join those of Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Elgin Baylor and Chick Hearn.
Five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star Kobe Bryant died at the age of 41 along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020 near Los Angeles. He retired from the sport in 2016.
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