Two time WNBA champion Lisa Leslie is set to become the first female athlete to receive a statue outside of The Staples Center according to the Bleacher Report.
Star Plaza is the name given to the VIP entrance at the Staples Center. Surrounding it are bronze statues of some of the greatest athletes to ever live and Lisa Leslie will now be in that number.
Lee Zeidman, president of Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and LA Live, told the LA Times that “plan[s] to discuss the timing and placement of a permanent statue at Staples Center honoring one of the great all-time WNBA players, Lisa Leslie,” is already in the works.
Leslie was drafted to the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997 and played her entire career with the team. She is a three-time MVP, a two-time champion and Finals MVP, an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-Star game MVP and the recipient of four Olympic gold medals. In other words, this honor is well deserved!
When she retired, Leslie held the league record for points and rebounds. She is also the first player to ever dunk in a WNBA game.
She is not just one of the greatest female athletes of all time, she is one of the greatest athletes period. Her statue will sit amongst other amazing athletes including Lakers Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal.
Leslie is a native of California and an accomplished author and sports commentator. She also is a coach in Ice Cube’s Big 3 League.
Photo credit Virginia Stroh