LA Sparks Unveiled Lisa Leslie Statue—Second Player in WNBA History Honored With Statue By Her Franchise
The newest addition to Star Plaza has arrived! On Sunday, the LA Sparks unveiled the Lisa Leslie statue as she becomes only the second player in WNBA history to be honored with a statue by her franchise. As the curtain dropped revealing the impressive sculpture, the Women’s National Basketball Association announced, “FOREVER IMMORTALIZED IN LOS ANGELES! Lisa Leslie’s statue is officially unveiled, honoring a legacy that changed the game forever.”
“The First Lady” herself was cemented forever just outside the walls of Crypto.com Arena. The very house that Leslie’s entire legacy played out. Leslie was drafted on January 22, 1997, by the Los Angeles Sparks during the initial allocation phase of the inaugural WNBA draft. On that very day, she was entering a brand new league.
A league that needed to be built. An entity that was yet to be defined by talent. And Leslie was up for the challenge.
Lisa Leslie Legacy and Career
Leslie entered the WNBA after being selected 7th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the inaugural WNBA Draft in 1997. She took the floor in the WNBA’s inaugural game on June 21, 1997. A game in which the Los Angeles Sparks faced the New York Liberty.
Nevertheless, Lisa would go on to become a WNBA champion multiple times. And she would also rack up an array of incredible accomplishments due to her phenomenal performances on the court.
Lisa Leslie Women’s National Basketball Association Achievements:
2x WNBA Champion.
3x Kia WNBA MVP.
2x WNBA Finals MVP.
2x Kia WNBA DPOY.
12x All-WNBA (8x First Team).
8x WNBA All-Star.
Yet, now generations to come will never forget the contributions, sacrifices, dedication or brilliance of Lisa Leslie. She is now immortalized alongside Lakers legends in Los Angeles. The 16th person honored with a statue in what has become known as Star Plaza. The Los Angeles Sparks legend is the first player in franchise history and just the second in WNBA history to receive a statue.
LA Sparks Unveiled Lisa Leslie Statue—Second Player in WNBA History Honored With Statue By Her Franchise
Some interesting tidbits regarding Lisa’s Star Plaza figure. Lisa Leslie’s newly unveiled statue features the Nike Total Air 9. Which is her signature shoe from 1998. It also features Lisa completing the first dunk in WNBA history back in 2002. Moreover, Lisa joins Sue Bird as the only players in WNBA history to be honored with a statue by their franchises.
Additionally, Leslie’s bronze statue sits atop a 4½-foot-tall base. The monument is named The First Lady. She is also the first Sparks player to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza and the second woman. The first was Gigi Bryant, who died alongside her father, Kobe Bryant, in a 2020 helicopter crash.
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