Basketball history is being etched in bronze, and Los Angeles is about to welcome a new legend to its iconic Star Plaza. The WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks will honor Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, cementing her legacy among the greatest athletes in sports history. This isn't just a tribute—it's a celebration of a career that redefined women's basketball.
Leslie, a two-time WNBA champion, three-time MVP, and four-time Olympic gold medalist, will take her rightful place alongside Lakers icons like Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O'Neal, as well as hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and boxing great Oscar De La Hoya. The statue will be unveiled on September 20, just before the Sparks take on the Portland Fire—a fitting moment for a player who spent her entire 12-year WNBA career with the team.
"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. "As the saying goes, 'The wolf is only as strong as the pack,' and I've been fortunate to have an amazing pack supporting me every step of the way."
Her journey began at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she dominated the college ranks before becoming the cornerstone of the Sparks franchise. Over her career, Leslie earned eight All-Star selections, two Finals MVP awards, and two Defensive Player of the Year honors, leading the Sparks to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002. Her impact, however, goes far beyond the stat sheet.
"Lisa's hard work and commitment has made her one of the best to ever play the game," said Magic Johnson. "Her legacy isn't just measured by championships and accolades, though; it's defined by the doors she opened and the standard she set for generations to come. More than an athlete, she is a pioneer, a cultural icon, and a force who elevated women's basketball to new heights."
For fans and aspiring athletes alike, Leslie's statue will stand as a permanent reminder that greatness knows no gender—and that Los Angeles will always honor its champions.