When you think of Los Angeles basketball royalty, the names that immediately come to mind aren't just from the men's game. Now, one of the true queens of the court is getting a permanent throne in the heart of the city.

The Los Angeles Sparks and Naismith Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie are set to make history, as the franchise announced Thursday that the WNBA legend will be honored with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. The bronze tribute will be unveiled during a special ceremony on Sept. 20, just before the Sparks take on the Portland Fire.

This isn't just any honor—it's a full-circle moment for a player who defined an era. "To be cemented in Los Angeles, the city that raised me, I couldn't be more proud to be a role model forever!" Leslie said in a statement. "God has blessed me and I have truly given my all to this sport and our community."

For those who need a refresher on why this statue is so deserved, let's rewind the tape. Leslie was the face of the Sparks from the moment the WNBA tipped off in 1997, spending her entire 12-season career with the franchise. She didn't just play—she dominated. She led the Sparks to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002, cementing a dynasty that put Los Angeles on the women's basketball map.

Her resume reads like a highlight reel: three league MVPs, two Finals MVPs, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. She made eight All-Star appearances, took home All-Star Game MVP honors three times, and earned 12 All-WNBA selections. When the league wanted to honor its best, Leslie was always on the list—she was named to the all-decade team in 2006 and every anniversary team that followed (15th, 20th, and 25th).

But the stat that still makes fans gasp? Leslie was the first player in WNBA history to dunk, throwing one down on July 30, 2002, against the Miami Sol. That moment changed the game forever, showing the world just how athletic and powerful women's basketball could be.

Over 363 career games, Leslie averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. She sits 13th on the league's all-time scoring list (6,263 points), sixth in rebounds (3,307), and third in blocks (822). Her No. 9 jersey was retired by the Sparks in 2010, and she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Now, she joins the ranks of other L.A. icons immortalized in bronze. Lakers legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who is part of the Sparks' ownership group, summed it up best: "I've known Lisa for nearly three decades and believe that she is beyond deserving of this incredible honor. She was the driving force behind bringing back-to-back championships to the Los Angeles Sparks franchise."

Today, Leslie continues to impact the game as a WNBA analyst for CBS Sports and a panelist on "We Need To Talk." But this September, she'll take a moment to look up at her own statue—a permanent reminder that in L.A., legends never fade.