Sparks legend Lisa Leslie honored with statue outside Crypto.com Arena

A statue honoring Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie was unveiled Sunday outside Crypto.com Arena, where she played the final eight seasons of her 12-season WNBA career, all with the Los Angeles Sparks.

The statue, created by sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany, depicts Leslie dunking an orange-and-white WNBA basketball, a feat she accomplished in 2002. She was the first player in league history to dunk in a game, five years after missing a dunk attempt in the WNBA's inaugural game.

Leslie thanked fans for their support and recalled her interactions with them during a halftime speech at the Sparks' 105-84 victory over the Portland Fire on Sunday.

“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 said. “Every time I've been in this arena, I have never left this arena without signing autographs, taking pictures, and giving you guys my all. I left it out here on the floor because that's what you deserve as fans.”

Leslie said she viewed every game as “a moment to change the mind of a man who was a hater. It was a chance to convince somebody who didn't believe in women's basketball. It was an opportunity to let a little girl believe that she could be me and my teammates out here because it's all about love and hope.