Los Angeles Lakers announce plans to reveal the statue of Kobe Bryant on February 8, 2024, Combining jerseys number 8 and number 24.
The bronze statue in tribute to the late Kobe Bryant will be unveiled on February 8, 2024, per the announcement. The numbers 8 and 24 were purposely selected to honor the respective jerseys sported by Black Mamba during the 20-year run as a member of the Lakers.
Per the press release: “On 2.8.24, fans can forever pay tribute to beloved Lakers Legend and five-time champion Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers and Vanessa Bryant announced today that they will unveil Kobe Bryant’s bronze statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 8, 2024, prior to the Lakers’ home game that evening.
“As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker,” said Vanessa Bryant in a video to fans. “Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as the house that Kobe built, we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever.”
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, retired as the first player in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons with a single franchise. He helped guide the Lakers to five NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010). Voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008, Bryant earned All-NBA honors 15 times
Bryant scored a career-high and franchise-best 81 points on Jan. 22, 2006, at home versus Toronto. The Lakers retired Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys on Dec. 18, 2017.