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The statue of the five-time NBA champion, who
died aged 41 in a January 2020 helicopter crash that also killed
his daughter Gianna and seven others, will be unveiled on Feb. 8
ahead of the Lakers' home game versus the Denver Nuggets.
"As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los
Angeles Laker," Vanessa said in a video on the team's social
media accounts. "Since arriving in this city and joining the
Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City
of Angels.
"On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am 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 his
statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever."
The Lakers said Bryant participated in the initial planning of
the anticipated statue that will be the first in a series of
physical tributes to honor his legacy.
Bryant will be the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a
statue, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jerry West and Chick
Hearn.
During his Hall of Fame career, Bryant was an 18-time All-Star
who led the NBA in scoring in four seasons and still also made
the league's All-Defensive First Team nine times, making him one
of the best two-way players in history.
"Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all
time, and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of
Los Angeles," said Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.
"There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue
than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can
celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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