Basketball legend Lisa Leslie announced Thursday that a statue honoring her career will be erected outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles [4].

The monument recognizes one of the most influential figures in women's professional sports. By placing the statue at a major U.S. sports hub, the Los Angeles Sparks and the city cement Leslie's legacy as a pioneer for the WNBA.

Leslie's career is defined by a series of historic achievements. She is a two-time WNBA champion [1] and a three-time MVP [2]. Her dominance extended to the international stage, where she became a four-time Olympic gold-medalist [3].

The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to take place before the Sparks game on Sept. 20 [4]. This event will mark a rare honor for a female athlete in the Los Angeles sports landscape, providing a permanent physical reminder of her contributions to the game.

Throughout her tenure with the Sparks, Leslie helped elevate the profile of women's basketball in the U.S. The decision to place the statue outside the arena ensures that fans and visitors are greeted by the image of a player who redefined the center position in the women's game.

While the statue honors her individual accolades, it also serves as a symbol of the growth of the WNBA since its inception. The monument will stand as a testament to the era of basketball that Leslie helped build through her skill and leadership on the court.

“A statue honoring her career will be erected outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.”

The installation of a statue for Lisa Leslie at a premier venue like Crypto.com Arena signals a shift in how professional women's sports legacies are memorialized. By granting a permanent monument typically reserved for male superstars, the sports industry acknowledges the foundational impact of early WNBA stars on the global popularity of the game.