Lisa Leslie Will Become First Female Athlete Honored With Statue Outside Crypto.com Arena

Lisa Leslie is set to become the first female athlete honored with an individual statue outside Crypto.com Arena, placing one of basketball’s defining figures alongside some of Los Angeles sports’ most recognizable names.

The Los Angeles Sparks announced plans to unveil the tribute outside the downtown venue where the Hall of Famer spent her entire professional tenure from 1997 through 2009. Her arrival coincided with the WNBA’s inaugural season, and over the next decade Leslie emerged as one of the sport’s most dominant forces while helping turn the Sparks into one of women’s basketball’s premier franchises.

The future Hall of Fame center captured two WNBA championships with Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002 while earning eight All Star selections, according to the Sparks. The four time Olympic gold medalist also became the first player to dunk during a WNBA game, a milestone still connected to the league’s early growth.

Her reach extended far beyond awards and championship banners. At a time when women’s professional basketball struggled for steady television exposure and national attention, Leslie became one of the sport’s most recognizable faces.

Inside the league, her combination of scoring, rebounding, defense, and star power helped attract larger audiences to women’s basketball. Success in Los Angeles also unfolded during an era when much of the city’s sports spotlight remained centered on men’s teams and male superstars.

Leslie said the recognition carries personal meaning because of her connection to Los Angeles and the organization represented for more than a decade. The former Sparks center described the honor as humbling while acknowledging pioneers whose careers opened doors for younger competitors.

Grounds surrounding Crypto.com Arena already feature monuments honoring several Lakers and Kings legends. Her addition marks a significant moment for female competitors seeking broader recognition inside spaces historically dominated by tributes tied to male stars.

Team officials credited the basketball icon with helping shape the Sparks during the WNBA’s earliest years while also serving as one of the league’s most important ambassadors. Executives also pointed to her lasting effect on younger talent who later entered the sport viewing her as both a champion and cultural figure.

Following retirement, Leslie earned induction into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Work later expanded into broadcasting, coaching, business ventures, and advocacy tied to athletics and leadership opportunities.

An official unveiling date has not yet been announced. Once completed, the monument will permanently place Lisa Leslie among the select group of sports figures honored outside the arena where she helped shape the early identity of women’s professional basketball.