The Los Angeles Sparks unveil a new statue honoring basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie outside Crypto.com Arena. The ceremony takes place as Leslie is recognized for her career and influence in women’s basketball.

Following the unveiling on Sunday, the Sparks win a game. During the event, Leslie says she hopes the statue inspires young girls to pursue basketball dreams. The Los Angeles Times and Yahoo Sports both highlight Leslie’s message about representation and encouraging girls to enter the sport.

While both outlets focus on the statue and its intended inspiration, the overall coverage also connects the celebration to the Sparks’ on-court result. Together, the reports present the statue unveiling as both a public tribute and a motivating moment for fans, particularly younger players.