Topline:
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant just outside of Crypto.com arena on Thursday before playing in their Black Mamba uniforms when they take on the Denver Nuggets.
Why it matters: Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion, had a hand in the design of the uniform and the uniform is a play on his nickname. With a snakeskin print, the uniform also features other details that honor the legend, including his jersey numbers 8 and 24 on the shorts.
In 2020, Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash sent shockwaves throughout Los Angeles and the greater Southern California area.
Date significance: The unveiling will take place on 2/8/24 paying homage to Bryant’s jersey numbers as well as his daughter Gianna Bryant’s jersey number 2. Gianna died in the crash along with seven other people.
What’s next: Public access to view the statue will be restricted during the unveiling ceremony, but fans can get up close Friday starting at 10 a.m.
