LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of Kobe Bryant outside their downtown arena on Feb. 8.

The 17-time NBA champion Lakers announced the plan Thursday to honor Bryant, the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history and a beloved mainstay of the franchise for 20 seasons. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

Bryant participated in the initial planning of his statue after his retirement in 2016, according to the Lakers. He is the sixth former Lakers player and seventh team employee to be honored with a statue in the so-called “Star Plaza” outside the arena, which has been the Lakers’ home since 1999.

The 2/8/24 date of the unveiling is conspicuous: Kobe wore No. 8 and No. 24 during each half of his Lakers career, while Gianna wore No. 2 while playing youth basketball. The Bryants were flying together to a basketball competition with seven others when their helicopter crashed in fog in Calabasas, California.

Bryant’s statue will join those of Lakers greats Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and broadcaster Chick Hearn. Star Plaza also includes statues of the Los Angeles Kings’ Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Dustin Brown and announcer Bob Miller, along with champion boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

The Lakers say they are planning “a series of physical tributes” to honor Bryant beyond the statue, which is designed by sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany.

“Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements.”

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Following a recent practice with his Philippines FIBA team at the World Cup, Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson spoke to media members  about the influence Kobe Bryant had on his career – and about a special tattoo.

“It meant a lot being around him my earlier years…a guy that I learned a lot from,” Clarkson said. “And he taught me so much. He means a lot to my career and the game of basketball, period.”

He also showed the media the tattoo he got on his leg of himself and Bryant embracing each other on the basketball court as teammates.

The Lakers selected Clarkson with the 46th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He quickly carved out a role for himself as a high-energy scoring option, averaging 11.9 points and 3.5 assists and earning a first-team All-Rookie selection.

During the 2015-2016 season, Clarkson’s offensive production jumped to 15.5 points per game and he was inserted into the starting lineup alongside Bryant. Clarkson was able to further develop his scoring arsenal by playing heavy minutes with one of the greatest scorers of all time.

Following a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017-2018 season, Clarkson’s role shifted from full-time starter to sixth man, providing a much-needed scoring punch for the team’s second unit. It was here that he was able to find a role that suited him, making the best use of the offensive skills he learned from his time in Los Angeles with Bryant.

After a trade to the Jazz in 2019-2020, Clarkson cemented his role as one of the league’s best sixth men, posting averages of 18.4, 16, and 20.8 points in the following three seasons. This elite production culminated in Clarkson winning the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2020-21 season, a season in which he averaged 18.4 points, four rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Although he is no longer a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, there is no denying the impact that being teammates with Bryant had on his career and the success that he ultimately found.

Clarkson echoed this sentiment on Bryant to reporters.

“Definitely my GOAT,” he said.

Bryant and his daughter Gianna died along with seven others when their helicopter crashed near Los Angeles in 2020.