Lakers to Immortalize Phil Jackson with New Statue Outside Crypto.com Arena

Los Angeles—In a move that feels both nostalgic and forward‑looking, the Lakers confirmed on Tuesday that a bronze statue of legendary coach Phil Jackson will soon join the pantheon of legends outside Crypto.com Arena.

The statue, sculpted by Omri Amrany—who’s already responsible for several of the league’s most iconic monuments—will be installed in the Star Plaza, the same spot that hosts tributes to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar and other franchise icons.

Jeanie Buss, the team’s acting governor, stood in front of a crowd of media and former players and said, “Phil defines championship basketball for a reason. This statue is a reminder of the standards he set for this organization.” She added a light‑hearted comment about how the statue might finally give fans a place to take selfies with the “Zen Master.”

Jackson’s résumé with the Lakers is hard to ignore: five NBA titles, seven Finals appearances, and eleven seasons at the helm across two separate stints (1999‑2004 and 2005‑2011). He turned a franchise that had been drifting in mediocrity into a three‑peat powerhouse from 2000 to 2002 and back‑to‑back crowns in 2009 and 2010.

The unveiling is scheduled for April 9, 2027, just before the Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game will serve as a celebratory backdrop, giving fans a chance to see the new monument up close and, perhaps, feel the weight of the history it represents.

While the statue cements Jackson’s legacy alongside other Lakers greats, it also underscores a broader trend in the NBA: teams are increasingly honoring coaches and executives who shaped their cultures, not just the players who lit up the scoreboard.

For now, the buzz is palpable. Social media is already filled with speculative renders of the statue, and ticket‑holders are eager to snap a photo with the “Zen Master” in the background. If there’s one thing the Lakers have proved over the years, it’s that they know how to turn reverence into a spectacle.