Lakers unveil second Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena

Image: @overtime/X

LOS ANGELES – A second statue of the Kobe Bryant was unveiled in a private ceremony Friday outside Crypto.com Arena, depicting the late Laker legend sitting courtside with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The statue is expected to be available for public viewing starting Saturday.

Kobe Bryant and Gianna both died along with seven other people in a Calabasas helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020.

The statue depicts the pair sitting in courtside seats, with Kobe kissing Gianna on the head, according to photos posted on social media. Angel wings spread out behind the pair, who are encircled by purple and gold flowers.

A gold plague in front of them includes a quote from Kobe, saying, “Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She’s got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.”

The plaque refers to Kobe as “Most Valuable Girl Dad.”

The Lakers unveiled the first statue of Bryant outside the arena on Feb. 8. During that ceremony, Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, announced that there would eventually be three statues in his honor outside the area, although no timeline was provided for their unveiling.

ESPN noted that Friday’s date – 8/2/24 – is a significant tie to Bryant, representing the two uniform numbers he wore with the Lakers, 8 and 24, and Gianna’s number 2.

The Feb. 8 date of the first statue unveiling – 2/8/24 – bore the same connection.

According to ESPN, the third planned statue will be unveiled sometime next season.

Other Laker greats commemorated with a statue outside the arena are Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and announcer Chick Hearn.

Bryant was known as “Black Mamba” during his 20-year Hall of Fame NBA career with the Lakers.

Both of Kobe Bryant’s uniform numbers were retired by the Lakers in 2017, the year after he hung up his sneakers – making him the first NBA player to have two numbers retired by the same team. He wore No. 8 from 1996 to 2006, then switched to No. 24 for the rest of his career.

Bryant played his entire career with the Lakers and is their leader in games (1,346), minutes played (48,637), field goals (11,719) and 3-point baskets (1,827), among numerous team records. (CNS)