Lakers unveil statue honoring Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna

The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a second statue of Kobe Bryant, the latest one also memorializing his daughter Gianna.

The statue, unveiled Friday outside Crypto.com Arena, depicts Kobe in a beanie and sweatshirt with his arm around a smiling Gianna, with the sculpture appearing to be modeled after a photo of them sitting courtside together at a Lakers game in 2019. They are surrounded by angel wings.

A plaque under the statue contains a quote from Kobe, who’s labeled as “Most Valuable Girl Dad.”

“Gianna is a beast,” Kobe’s quote says. “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 date of Friday’s unveiling was also significant as it fell on Aug. 2, 2024 (8/2/24). Kobe’s jersey numbers during his illustrious 20-year NBA career with the Lakers were Nos. 8 and 24, while Gianna wore No. 2 on her basketball team.

Kobe, Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2020, while traveling to a basketball tournament for Gianna. Two of her teammates, three other parents, an assistant coach and the pilot were all on board.

Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, previously said there would be three Kobe statues outside Crypto.com Arena: one of him wearing No. 8, one wearing No. 24 and one with Gianna. The Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe wearing a No. 8 jersey on Feb. 8.

The team has also honored other legends with a statue in Star Plaza such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, announcer Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West.

Required reading

(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)