Lisa Leslie has a permanent place alongside some of Los Angeles' biggest sports legends. And she had an immediate verdict on how her statue turned out.
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"First of all, she's cute," Leslie said at the unveiling, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "I was so worried. I did not want to look like a linebacker up here. But she's cute."
The three-time WNBA MVP became the first Los Angeles Sparks player honored with a statue in Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena during a Sept. 20 ceremony. The 11-foot bronze sculpture depicts her historic dunk and is named "The First Lady."
Leslie became the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game and led the Sparks to consecutive championships in 2001 and 2002. She spent her entire 12-season WNBA career with Los Angeles before retiring in 2009 and entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and former Sparks teammate Candace Parker attended the unveiling.
For Leslie, the statue's location carried special meaning.
"I'm right across from Kobe. I'm right by Magic. The people who have just poured into my life," she said.
Leslie worked closely with sculptors Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt Amrany, traveling to Chicago to help ensure the finished piece reflected her personality. That included details such as her ribbons and polished nails.
She wanted young fans to recognize more than a basketball accomplishment.
"I wanted for little girls to see my ribbons when I played because I wanted them to be able to see themselves in me," Leslie said.
