The Los Angeles Sparks announced Thursday that the organization would be honoring WNBA legend Lisa Leslie with a statue in Star Plaza at Crypto.com Arena. The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 20 before the Sparks’ game against the Portland Fire.
“To be cemented in Los Angeles, the city that raised me, I couldn’t be more proud to be a role model forever!” Leslie said in a statement released by the Sparks. “God has blessed me and I have truly given my all to this sport and our community. I am thankful to my coaches, teammates, incredible fans, and, most importantly, my family and friends.”
Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Lisa Leslie poses before a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Leslie spent her entire 12-season career with the Sparks, where she won back-to-back WNBA championships in 2000 and 2001. She was part of the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997 and went on to become an eight-time WNBA All-Star and three-time WNBA MVP.
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“I’ve known Lisa for nearly three decades and believe that she is beyond deserving of this incredible honor. She was the driving force behind bringing back-to-back championships to the Los Angeles Sparks franchise in 2000 and 2001, and Lisa’s hard work and commitment has made her one of the best to ever play the game. Lisa’s legacy isn’t just measured by championships and accolades, though; it’s defined by the doors she opened and the standard she set for generations to come
“More than an athlete, she is a pioneer, a cultural icon and a force who elevated women’s basketball to new heights. This statue celebrates her excellence, her leadership and the future she helped create, and it ensures her impact will forever be part of the fabric of this city,” Lakers legend Magic Johnson said in the Sparks’ statement.
Leslie will join multiple other Los Angeles legends who have statues in Star Plaza, like Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. She is the second WNBA player to be honored by her franchise with a statue, following the Seattle Storm’s unveiling of a statue for Sue Bird in August 2025.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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