Lisa Leslie is getting a statue outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles after a legendary career with the Los Angeles Sparks.
Basketball legend Lisa Leslie is getting a statue outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sparks play at Crypto.com Arena. It used to be named Staples Center.
Leslie spent her entire WNBA career with the Sparks. She won three MVPs, two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, two Finals MVPs, two championships and three rebounding titles and made eight All-Star teams and 12 All-WNBA teams.
The 53-year-old Leslie will join Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky, Pat Riley, Oscar De La Hoya, Chick Hearn, Jerry West, Luc Robitaille, Bob Miller, Elgin Baylor, Dustin Brown and Gigi Bryant as sports figures with statues outside Crypto.com Arena.
"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 Thursday. "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. 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."
Leslie appeared in 363 regular-season games with the Sparks. She averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per contest. The USC product had her No. 9 jersey retired by Sparks in 2010.
"Lisa's hard work and commitment has made her one of the best to ever play the game," Johnson said in a statement. "Lisa's 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. This statue celebrates her excellence, her leadership and the future she helped create, and it ensures her impact will forever be part of the fabric of this city."
Leslie is a four-time Olympic gold medalist. She was the first WNBA player to dunk in a game.
Leslie ranks 13th in WNBA history in career points (6,263), sixth in rebounds (3,307) and third in blocks (822). She's the Sparks' all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals, free throws, minutes and games.
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