Photo: JEFF HAYNES,- / AFP / Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers announced they will honor legendary coach Phil Jackson with a statue at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena. The unveiling is set for Friday, April 9, 2027, before the Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jackson, who guided the Lakers to five NBA championships, will become the ninth Lakers figure to receive this honor.
Jackson's coaching career with the Lakers spanned 11 seasons over two stints, from 1999 to 2004 and 2005 to 2011. During this time, he led the team to seven NBA Finals appearances and five championships, including a three-peat from 2000 to 2002 and back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. His strategic implementation of the triangle offense and ability to manage superstar talents like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal set a standard for championship success.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss expressed her admiration for Jackson, stating, "Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason." She credited his creativity and commitment to excellence for restoring the Lakers' championship legacy.
The statue, designed by Omri Amrany of Rotblatt Amrany Studio, will join those of other Lakers legends, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jerry West. As the Lakers undergo a generational transition, with Luka Dončić now a key player, Jackson's statue serves as a reminder of the franchise's storied past.