A special week for Lakers fans just got better as the purple and gold unveil the Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena. LeBron James and the team will pay tribute to the late legend by donning the Mamba uniforms on February 8, the same night the team will introduce Bryant’s bronze statue in Star Plaza outside of the arena.
Key Takeaway
The Los Angeles Lakers will pay tribute to the late Kobe Bryant by wearing the Black Mamba uniforms on February 8, the same night the team unveils Bryant’s bronze statue outside Crypto.com Arena. The special jerseys, designed by Bryant himself, hold a significant place in the team’s history and serve as a powerful tribute to the basketball legend.
Kobe’s Legacy Lives On
The Lakers made the announcement, revealing that the squad would wear their Black Mamba uniforms against the Denver Nuggets. These special jerseys were actually designed by Kobe Bryant himself back in 2017, drawing inspiration from the Lakers uniform he wore during his rookie season in 1996-1997.
The Mamba uniforms, to be worn on 2/8/24 as another nod to the legend, feature a black, snakeskin-like print and include “LA 24” on the belt, with Kobe’s numbers 8 and 24 stitched on the leg of the shorts.
Continuing the Tradition
This won’t be the first time the Lakers have worn the iconic Black Mamba uniforms. They debuted them in January 2018 and also wore them again during the 2020 championship season following Bryant’s tragic passing.
In addition to the special uniforms, the unveiling of the statue is a monumental honor for Kobe Bryant. With the team’s rich history, Bryant becomes the 7th Laker to be immortalized with a statue, joining the ranks of Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn.
