Statue Unveiled For WNBA Legend
Lisa Leslie receives a statue outside Crypto.com Arena as Sparks defeat Portland.
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Key Points
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Leslie’s statue is the 16th installed outside Crypto.com Arena and only the second honoring a woman; the other is a statue of Gigi Bryant.
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Leslie was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, adding to the honors recognized by the statue.
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The statue was created by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany.
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The Sparks’ fan events included commemorative tickets with QR codes that activated a digital feature, a limited number of tickets autographed by Leslie and photo opportunities on the arena concourse.
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The Sparks entered the game with Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby and Aaliyah Nye sidelined by injuries, while both Los Angeles and Portland had already been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Los Angeles Sparks unveiled a bronze statue of Lisa Leslie outside Crypto.com Arena on September 20, honoring the WNBA icon who led the franchise to two championships and became the league's first player to dunk. The 11-foot statue, created by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany, depicts Leslie's signature dunk move CBS News. It marks only the second statue of a woman at the arena — the other honors Gigi Bryant Rolling Out.
Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP and 2015 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, expressed her deep connection to Los Angeles and interest in joining the Sparks' ownership group NDTV Sports. On the court, the Sparks dominated Portland 105-84, with Nneka Ogwumike scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to become the fourth player in WNBA history to reach 8,000 career points.
A Career Spanning Championships and Historic Firsts
Leslie spent 13 seasons with the Sparks from 1997 to 2009, winning two WNBA championships and earning three MVP awards. She became the first woman ever to dunk in a WNBA game, a moment that redefined the sport Rolling Out. Her Hall of Fame induction in 2015 cemented her legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats.
The Statue Becomes Second Female Honor at Crypto.com Arena
Leslie's statue is the 16th installed outside Crypto.com Arena, but only the second depicting a woman CBS News. The other female statue honors Gigi Bryant, the daughter of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The bronze sculpture captures Leslie mid-dunk, immortalizing her game-changing moment in basketball history.
Fans got access to exclusive experiences during Monday's unveiling. The Sparks distributed commemorative tickets with QR codes that unlocked digital features, while a limited number of tickets autographed by Leslie were given away. Photo opportunities on the arena concourse allowed supporters to celebrate Leslie's legacy in person.
Sparks Roll Past Fire Despite Key Injuries
Los Angeles cruised to a 105-84 victory over Portland, with Ogwumike's 20 points and 12 rebounds leading the way NDTV Sports. The Sparks played without Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby, and Aaliyah Nye due to injuries. Both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention before the game.
Leslie's Next Chapter: Ownership Aspirations
During her statue unveiling speech, Leslie told fans that Los Angeles remains central to who she is as a person. She expressed genuine interest in rejoining the Sparks' ownership group, signaling a desire to shape the franchise's future NDTV Sports. Her potential return to leadership would mark another historic chapter in her relationship with the team.
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