Lower Merion's Kobe Bryant Immortalized With New Statue In Los Angeles

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Kobe Bryant had a significant impact on the Lower Merion School District, giving the Aces their first-ever state title in 1996 and bringing national attention to the area, having been drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers just out of high school.

The superstar tragically died on Jan. 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The crash claimed the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

And to honor the "Black Mamba," the Lakers recently unveiled a statue of his likeness.

The 19-foot, 4,000-pound bronze statue made its debut Thursday.

It depicts Bryant in his white No. 8 jersey with his finger raised as he walked off the court after his 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.

"Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning, and this moment isn’t just for Kobe, but it’s for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years," Bryant's wife Vanessa said, according to NBA.com. "To the fans here in LA, this is a special city Kobe was so proud to represent. You welcomed him with open arms and have been so important to him, our family, and his legacy."

The new statue is located outside the Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers play.

NBA.com reports this is one of three statues that will honor Bryant. The next will feature him in his No. 24 jersey, and the third will show Bryant and Gianna.

This isn't the first statue to honor the basketball legend.

A statue depicting him and Gianna was installed in Calabasas in early 2022.

"Heroes come and go, but legends are forever," the statue reads. This famous Kobe Bryant quote is inscribed with the names of the nine people who died in the crash.