Lisa Leslie Statue Outside of Crypto.com Arena To Open To Public Viewing Monday

The public will get its first chance Monday to view the statue of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member Lisa Leslie outside of Crypto.com Arena.

The statue created by sculptors/artists Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany depicts Leslie dunking an orange-and-white WNBA basketball into a basket, a feat she accomplished in 2002. She was the league’s first player to do so, five years after she missed a dunk attempt in its first game.

The statue was unveiled Sunday in an invitation-only ceremony.

The Sparks, who Leslie played for her entire 12-season WNBA career, held a celebration of the statue unveiling during Sunday’s 105-84 victory over the Portland Fire.

Leslie thanked fans for their support and recalled how she would interact with them in her speech at halftime.

“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.