WNBA legend Lisa Leslie to be honored with a statue

 by Francis Alkhalbey, Face2FaceAfrica,com

WNBA legend Lisa Leslie’s legacy will be immortalized, as her former team, the Los Angeles Sparks, will honor her with a statue outside the Crypto.com Arena.

Per ESPN, the ceremony will take place in the Star Plaza, which is outside the arena, on September 20. The arena is the home court of the Los Angeles Lakers and Sparks. 

Leslie, 53, joins other distinguished and accomplished athletes who have been honored with a statue at the arena. They include 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.

Leslie and Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird are currently the only WNBA players to be honored with statues by their former teams. 

“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 on 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 spent her 12-year WNBA career with the Sparks, and she won two championships with the franchise. She’s a 12-time All-WNBA selection, eight-time All-Star, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time All-Star MVP, per ESPN. 

Leslie ended her career with 6,263 points, making her number thirteen on the all-time WNBA list. She’s additionally number six in rebounds (3,307) and third in the blocks (822) list. 

The 53-year-old is also the first player to dunk in a WNBA game. In 2010, the Sparks retired her number 9 jersey. 

“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.”