Lisa Leslie to Receive Statue Outside Sparks Arena, WNBA Icon Reacts to Honor in Video
Bleacher Report • • sports
Key Points:
- The Los Angeles Sparks announced they will commission a statue of franchise legend Lisa Leslie to be placed outside Crypto.com Arena, honoring her legacy in women's basketball.
- Leslie, a Southern California native and WNBA Hall of Famer, spent her entire 12-year career with the Sparks, earning eight All-Star selections, three MVP awards, and two Defensive Player of the Year honors.
- She led the Sparks to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002, earning two Finals MVP awards, and is recognized not only for her on-court achievements but also for opening doors and setting standards in the sport.
- Magic Johnson praised Leslie as a pioneer and cultural icon who elevated women's basketball, emphasizing that the statue will immortalize her impact on the city and the sport.
- Leslie will be the second WNBA player to receive a statue outside a home arena, following Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm, with the Sparks previously honoring Leslie by naming their court after her and retiring her jersey.