Kobe Bryant, the beloved Lakers legend, has now joined six other players from the team in being recognized with a statue. The unveiling took place on Thursday night, a special day for the team as they were set to wear their Black Mamba uniforms.

The specific numerical date of “2-8-24” on Thursday holds a significant meaning for both the fans and teammates of Bryant. This is due to his consistent use of the numbers 8 and 24 during his time as a player for the Lakers. Additionally, the design of the Black Mamba uniforms was a collaborative effort with Bryant.

The statue of Bryant was revealed at Star Plaza, located outside of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, establishing the revered player as a member of an exclusive league.

According to Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe, who is both a colleague and honoree, meets all the requirements to receive this recognition. These include his impressive track record of victories, his contributions to revolutionizing the game, and his immense influence in the world of sports.

Bryant, born on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, was the son of Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant, a former professional basketball player who played eight seasons in the NBA and eight in Italy. After attending school in Italy, Bryant went on to have an incredibly prosperous basketball career, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships.

On January 26, 2020, at the age of 41, Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The accident, as reported by the NTSB, was caused by pilot disorientation and resulted in the death of all nine individuals aboard, including Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.