A statue commemorating Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie was unveiled on Sunday outside Crypto.com Arena, the venue where she played her final eight seasons in the WNBA, all with the Los Angeles Sparks.

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The statue, crafted by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany, features Leslie executing a dunk with an orange-and-white WNBA basketball, a historic achievement she accomplished in 2002, making her the first player in league history to dunk in a game.

During a halftime speech at the Sparks' 105-84 victory over the Portland Fire, Leslie expressed gratitude to fans for their unwavering support and shared fond memories of her interactions with them. “This game does not get to where we are today without all of you who have been here, sitting with us, riding with us,” Leslie stated. She emphasized her commitment to her fans, noting, “I left it out here on the floor because that's what you deserve as fans.”

Leslie described every game as an opportunity to challenge skeptics of women's basketball and to inspire young girls. “It's all about love and hope... It's an opportunity to change people's lives. It's an opportunity to build community,” she remarked, adding that her statue serves as a reminder of her legacy in basketball.

Leslie is the 16th individual and the second woman to receive a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, following Gigi Bryant, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash alongside her father, Kobe Bryant, in 2020.

The statue will be open for public viewing starting Monday.

Leslie's career with the Sparks spanned from their inaugural season in 1997 to 2009, with a notable absence in 2007 due to pregnancy. She is a three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and led the Sparks to championship victories in 2001 and 2002. In 2015, Leslie was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Born on July 7, 1972, in Gardena and raised in Inglewood, Leslie attended the now-closed Morningside High School. She first garnered national attention in 1990 when she scored 101 points in a half against South Torrance, tying Cheryl Miller's national record for points in a game; the second half was not played.

At USC, Leslie earned acclaim as a three-time All-American, a four-time All-Pac-10 first-team selection, and was unanimously named the 1994 Naismith National Player of the Year. She also led the nation in scoring and rebounding as a freshman in 1991, earning NCAA Freshman of the Year honors. Additionally, Leslie is a four-time Olympic gold medalist.