Lakers to Wear Kobe Bryant-Inspired Uniforms to Commemorate Statue Unveiling

The late Los Angeles Lakers legend helped design the stylish black kit.

Thursday will mark a special day in Los Angeles Lakers history as a statue of the late Kobe Bryant will be unveiled outside of Crypto.com Arena.

Bryant, who died in a 2020 helicopter crash, will become the seventh Lakers figure honored with a statue outside of the arena.

To commemorate the occasion, the Lakers will wear Black Mamba-inspired uniforms, which Bryant helped co-design, during Thursday’s game against the visiting Denver Nuggets. The uniforms will include “LA 24” on the belt, while Bryant’s Nos. 8 and 24 can be seen under the flap of each leg of the shorts.

The Lakers posted a sneak peek at the uniforms on Tuesday.

2.8.24: The Mamba Unis Return 🖤 pic.twitter.com/dJVVm8TSJ2

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 6, 2024

The statue unveiling ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. PT outside the arena. Fans will be able to view the statue in person beginning on Friday. Statues of legendary Lakers players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West and iconic broadcaster Chick Hearn already stand outside the venue.

The date Feb. 8 was picked to honor Bryant and his late daughter Gianna, who also died in the crash. His daughter’s youth basketball uniform number was 2, while Bryant’s original number with the Lakers was 8.