On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers revealed a monumental tribute to Kobe Bryant with the unveiling of a 19-foot bronze statue outside their downtown arena, commemorating the enduring legacy of the late basketball icon.

Crafted from a substantial 4,000 pounds of bronze, the statue captures the essence of Kobe Bryant, adorned in his iconic white No. 8 jersey, immortalizing the moment when he walked off the court after his legendary 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, with his right index finger triumphantly raised.

In a heartfelt dedication ceremony, Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, revealed that the unveiled statue is the initial installment of a trilogy intended to commemorate the enduring legacy of the five-time NBA champion and Lakers' all-time leading scorer. Subsequent statues will portray Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, representative of the latter phase of his illustrious career, and a third sculpture will capture a touching moment with his daughter, Gianna, who tragically lost her life alongside him and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

The unveiling of the first statue took place at a ceremony attended by a multitude of Lakers legends and a devoted audience of season ticket holders. Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, delivered a heartfelt speech following remarks from team owner Jeanie Buss, former teammate Derek Fisher, basketball icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the revered Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

“I think of Kobe constantly, and I miss him and Gigi more than words can say,” Buss said. “But today, I'm filled with joy.”

The statue's base reads: “Kobe Bean Bryant,” with his nickname, “Black Mamba,” carved below. The platform is surrounded by five replicas of the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The pedestal of the statue includes the statistical summary of his historic 81-point game, accompanied by a poignant quote from Kobe Bryant. “Leave the game better than you found it. And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.”

Kobe Bryant becomes the sixth Lakers player and seventh team figure to receive the distinction of having a statue placed in Star Plaza, the iconic area outside the arena, formerly known as the Staples Center during Bryant's illustrious career. His statue now stands alongside those of Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Lakers announcer Chick Hearn in this esteemed collection.

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