The Sparks honor Lisa Leslie with a bronze statue outside the arena

The Los Angeles Sparks celebrated the career of legendary player Lisa Leslie by unveiling a bronze statue outside their arena on Sunday. Leslie, who played for the team from 1997 to 2009, became the first Sparks player to receive such an honor. The 11-foot statue, with a 4 1/2 foot base, captures Leslie's signature dunk, the first in WNBA history.

Organizers expressed delight with the final product, noting that Leslie had provided input to ensure the statue embodied her essence - a blend of fearlessness and competitiveness, while still maintaining a touch of "cute." Leslie, a three-time MVP, was present at the unveiling ceremony, which also featured Magic Johnson, Candace Parker, and Michael Cooper, among others.

"This statue is beautiful," Leslie declared. "I’m just thrilled that they listened to me and got it right." She added that the statue, including her ponytail and polished nails, made her feel "perfectly balanced" in the portrayal. Leslie's influence on the Sparks was evident, as the team clinched consecutive championships in 2001 and 2002.