WNBA Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie to be honoured with statue outside Crypto.com Arena
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 20 September, preceding the team’s match against the Portland Fire, with ownership group member Earvin “Magic” Johnson praising Leslie as a “cultural icon.”
The Los Angeles Sparks have announced that WNBA Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie will be honoured with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 20 September, taking place prior to the team’s match against the Portland Fire. Leslie, who spent her entire 12-season career with the franchise, described the honour as a source of pride, stating she is “proud to be a role model forever.”
Leslie becomes the second player in WNBA history to receive such a tribute, following Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird, who was honoured last year. The announcement underscores the enduring legacy of a player who was allocated to the Sparks ahead of the league’s debut season in 1997. Leslie led the franchise to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002, cementing her status as one of the most decorated athletes in the sport’s history.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a member of the Sparks’ ownership group and Los Angeles Lakers legend, praised Leslie as a “cultural icon” and a “pioneer” who elevated women’s basketball. Johnson stated that Leslie’s legacy is defined not just by championships, but by the doors she opened and the standard she set for generations to come. He noted that the statue celebrates her excellence, leadership, and the future she helped create.
Leslie’s accolades include three MVP awards, two Finals MVP awards, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and eight All-Star appearances. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, and her No. 9 jersey was retired by the Sparks in 2010. Additionally, Leslie was the first player in WNBA history to dunk, achieving this feat on 30 July 2002 against the now-defunct Miami Sol.
Currently working as a WNBA analyst for CBS Sports, Leslie expressed gratitude to her coaches, teammates, fans, and family in a statement released by the team. She credited her success to the support of her “amazing pack,” emphasising the collective effort behind her individual achievements. The Sparks have indicated that further details regarding the ceremony will be released in the coming weeks.
