Lisa Leslie now has a permanent place in the Los Angeles sports landscape.

The Los Angeles Sparks unveiled a statue honoring Leslie outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, September 20, 2026, turning one of the most influential careers in WNBA history into a permanent landmark in the city where she spent her entire professional career.

Leslie was already a Los Angeles sports icon before the statue. She helped the Sparks win back-to-back WNBA championships, won three league MVP awards, became the first player to dunk in a WNBA game and earned four Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

But the numbers behind her career explain why this particular honor carries so much significance.

Lisa Leslie’s Statue Adds Her Name to Los Angeles Sports History

The statue was unveiled in Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, placing Leslie among a collection of major Los Angeles sports figures.

According to the NBA and WNBA, Leslie became the first Los Angeles Sparks player to receive a statue and only the second WNBA player to be honored with a statue by her franchise, joining Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird.

The moment also adds another milestone to Leslie’s remarkable list of firsts.

The Career Numbers That Built Lisa Leslie’s Legacy

Leslie spent all 12 seasons of her WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks, playing from 1997 through 2009.

Her career statistics show how productive she was across multiple areas of the game. Leslie finished her WNBA career with 6,263 points, 3,307 rebounds, 874 assists and 822 blocks.

Her Per-Game Numbers Show How Complete Her Game Was

Leslie averaged 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during her WNBA career, along with 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks.

Those numbers reflect why Leslie’s impact extended well beyond scoring. She was a high-level rebounder and one of the most productive defensive players of her generation.

Three MVP Awards and Two Championships With the Sparks

Leslie’s connection with the Sparks was defined by winning.

She helped Los Angeles capture back-to-back WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002 and was named Finals MVP in both championship runs.

Leslie won the regular-season MVP award in 2001, 2004 and 2006. She was also named Defensive Player of the Year twice.

Her 2001 season stands out even within an extraordinary career. She became the first player to win the WNBA regular-season MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.

The Dunk That Changed WNBA History

On July 30, 2002, Leslie made WNBA history by becoming the first player to dunk in a league game.

The historic dunk came during a game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Miami Sol at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

It was more than a highlight. The moment became one of the defining images of the early WNBA era and helped expand the conversation around what professional women’s basketball players could do on the court.

Leslie went on to lead the Sparks to their second championship that season and earned her second Finals MVP award.

Four Olympic Gold Medals Made Her International Legacy Even Bigger

Leslie’s impact was not limited to the WNBA.

She represented Team USA at four Olympic Games and won gold medals at every Olympics in which she competed: Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Team USA records also highlight Leslie’s international production. She became a key figure for the U.S. women’s national team and finished her Olympic career with four gold medals.

Lisa Leslie’s Place in the WNBA Record Book

Leslie’s influence can also be measured through her position in Sparks and WNBA statistical history.

The Sparks identify her as the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals, free throws, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, Defensive Win Shares, minutes and games.

Her statistical résumé is also reflected in her league-wide historical standing. The WNBA lists Leslie among the top 15 in several major career categories, including scoring, rebounds, blocks and field goals.

Why the Lisa Leslie Statue Matters to the Sparks

The statue represents more than an individual player receiving a career honor.

Leslie was part of the WNBA from its beginning in 1997 and spent her entire professional career with the Sparks. She became closely associated with the franchise while helping establish Los Angeles as one of the league’s important basketball markets.

Her No. 9 jersey was retired by the Sparks in 2010, and she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Now her legacy has a permanent physical presence outside the arena where generations of Los Angeles basketball fans have gathered.

From a WNBA First to a Permanent Los Angeles Landmark

There is a unique connection between Leslie’s biggest milestones.

She became the first player to dunk in a WNBA game. She became a three-time MVP. She won two championships with Los Angeles. She won four Olympic gold medals. And now she has become the first Sparks player to receive a statue.

Her career began during the WNBA’s first season and ended with her among the league’s most decorated players.

The statue therefore serves as a visual reminder of an era when the WNBA was establishing its identity and Leslie was one of the players helping define it.

Lisa Leslie Career Snapshot

Final Takeaway

Lisa Leslie’s statue is the latest chapter in a career that helped shape both the Los Angeles Sparks and the WNBA.

The championships, MVP awards, Olympic medals and historic dunk tell one part of the story. Her career statistics provide another measure of her impact.

But perhaps the most fitting number is 12: the number of seasons Leslie spent with the Sparks.

She entered the WNBA with Los Angeles in 1997, remained with the franchise throughout her career and retired in 2009. Now, in 2026, her legacy has been permanently placed in the city she represented for more than a decade.

Lisa Leslie’s career made her a WNBA icon. Her new statue makes that legacy part of Los Angeles history.

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