Kobe Bryant is unquestionably one of the greatest players in NBA and Los Angeles Lakers history. As a heartfelt homage to the late Hall of Famer, the Lakers recently unveiled another statue of Kobe and his daughter Gianna outside Crypto.com Arena.
They’re now paying even more honor to Kobe Bryant by calling the entrance to Crypto.com Arena the “Kobe Bryant Entrance.”
The brand new Kobe Bryant entrance at Crypto Arena 💜 💛
(via @cryptocomarena)pic.twitter.com/gVtWbyAKmf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 5, 2024
The statue elicited numerous emotions from NBA legend and current Lakers player LeBron James. Now, the gateway bearing Kobe Bryant’s name will be a welcoming sight for Lakers fans and players.
Crytpo.com Arena formally confirmed the move on Monday, writing on X, “Our 11th Street entrance has been renamed in honor of Kobe Bryant.” It’s another kind gesture from the organization to honor an all-time great.
The Lakers continue to celebrate Kobe Bryant.
There are now two statues of Kobe Bryant outside the Crypto.com Arena, with plans to reveal a third soon. Although the release date for the third statue has yet to be confirmed, it will incorporate his characteristic No. 24, which he wore to complete his career and is well-known among fans.
The first statue, honoring Gianna’s number as well as both of Kobe’s Lakers jersey numbers, was erected on February 8, 2024 (2-8-24). The second was released on August 2, 2024 (8-2-2024), and the same numbers were honored.
Kobe spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the purple and gold, capturing five NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVPs, 11 All-NBA first-team honors, and an eye-popping 18 All-Star nominations. Crypto.com Arena’s 11th Street entrance is now known as the Kobe Bryant Entrance. The third statue is scheduled to be released next.
