In a heartfelt ceremony on Thursday night, Vanessa Bryant captivated the audience as she unveiled the statue of her late husband, Kobe Bryant, outside the Lakers arena. The crowd welcomed her to the stage with a standing ovation, filled with admiration and respect for the Lakers legend.

Beginning her speech, Vanessa dedicated the day not only to Kobe but also to his fans who supported him throughout his illustrious career. She specifically acknowledged the City of Angels, expressing how proud Kobe was to represent Los Angeles. "To the fans here in LA, you welcomed him with open arms and have been so important to him, our family, and his legacy," she said, appreciating the unwavering support Kobe received.

Vanessa shared that she worked closely with sculptors to design the statue's details, emphasizing a particular request she had. "All of our daughter's names are tattooed on Kobe's arm," she revealed. Although some of their daughters were not born at the time of that specific moment, Vanessa wanted this detail included as a tribute to their family's bond.

Asserting Kobe's influence and inspiration on the current generation of star players, Vanessa expressed her confidence in his pride from above. She highlighted how players following in Kobe's footsteps by achieving remarkable scoring performances contribute to the continued influence he has on the game he cherished. "He is still pouring inspiration into the game that was so special to him," she emphasized.

Quoting from her late husband's words, Vanessa ended her speech powerfully, reminding everyone of Kobe's belief in leaving a lasting legacy. "Leave the game better than you found it, and when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend. And that he did," she said, evoking a mix of emotions among the audience.

The statue itself captures Kobe Bryant with his right index finger raised in the air as he walked off the court, marking his legendary 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006. This statue is the first of three that will comprise "The House that Kobe Built," a collection honoring the Lakers icon outside the Crypto.com Arena. The other statues will feature Kobe in his iconic No. 24 jersey and his daughter, Gianna.

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020, leaving the basketball world devastated. However, his impact on the sport and his lasting legacy are indisputable. Bryant's retirement in 2016 marked the end of a remarkable 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became a five-time NBA champion, the fourth-leading scorer in history, and an esteemed league MVP.

With his posthumous election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, Kobe Bryant's legacy continues to be celebrated. The unveiling of his statue, coupled with Vanessa's touching words, serves as a poignant reminder of the indelible mark he left on the world of basketball and the hearts of fans worldwide.