The Los Angeles Sparks announced on Thursday that they will be honoring franchise legend Lisa Leslie with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena in September.
“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 released by the Sparks. “God has blessed me and I have truly given my all to this sport and our community. I am thankful to my coaches, teammates, incredible fans, and, most importantly, my family and friends.”
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After a legendary WNBA, she’ll now become the first Sparks player to receive a statue and only the second WNBA player ever to be immortalized with one, joining Seattle Storm icon Sue Bird.
Leslie’s statue is now set to be unveiled at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Sept. 20, just before the Sparks host the Portland Fire. It will stand in the same area as other L.A. basketball legends like Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.
She joined the Sparks in 1997 as the WNBA was launching it’s first season. Leslie went on to play all 12 years of her career in L.A., making eight All-Star teams while leading them to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002.
She went on to win both Finals MVPs for those series’ as well as three WNBA MVPs and four Olympic gold medals. Leslie made sports history in 2002 when she became the first WNBA player to throw down a dunk during a game.
Despite retiring back in 2009, she still remains the Sparks’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals, free throws and games played.
Even after retiring, Leslie remains one of the most influential and impactful figures in women’s basketball.
The Sparks initially had plans for Leslie’s statue back in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans. After almost seven years, she’ll finally be honored as the greatest player in Sparks history.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
