Vanessa Bryant Reveals Kobe's Statue at Emotional Lakers Ceremony

Vanessa Bryant delivered a heartfelt tribute as a statue of Kobe Bryant was unveiled, stirring emotions among the gathered crowd.

Greeted with a resounding standing ovation, Vanessa took the moment to honor not only her late husband but also the legion of fans who stood by him throughout his illustrious career. She expressed deep gratitude towards the city that embraced Kobe, emphasizing, "Los Angeles is a city that meant the world to Kobe, and you all embraced him, supported our family, and played a pivotal role in his legacy."

In her collaboration with the sculptors, Vanessa made sure to include a touching personal detail in the statue's design. "Kobe had our daughters' names inked on his arm, a testament to his love for them. This detail, although representing a time before our youngest daughters were born, is a tribute to the father Kobe was," she shared.

Vanessa also revealed that Kobe himself chose the statue's pose, humorously warning, "If anyone has any issues with it, well, that's just too bad. It was his choice."

Reflecting on Kobe's lasting impact on basketball, Vanessa observed, "Seeing today's stars emulate Kobe's scoring prowess, I'm reminded of how he continues to inspire the game he adored so much."

She wrapped up her speech with a powerful quote from Kobe, urging everyone to "leave the game better than you found it, and when you leave, leave a legend."

The statue, depicting Bryant in a pose from his unforgettable game against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, is the first in a series dubbed "The House that Kobe Built" outside the Crypto.com Arena. Future statues will celebrate Kobe in his No. 24 jersey and honor his daughter, Gianna, who tragically perished alongside her father in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

Kobe Bryant, who retired in 2016 after 20 seasons with the Lakers, left an indelible mark on the sport as a five-time NBA champion, the fourth all-time leading scorer, and a league MVP. His legacy was cemented with his posthumous induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.