The Los Angeles Lakers will wear their Black Mamba uniforms, co-designed by NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, for Thursday night’s home game against the Denver Nuggets after the Kobe Bryant statue is unveiled at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena.
Bryant was a five-time NBA champ and two-time NBA Finals MVP. He is set to become the sixth Laker and seventh person associated with the organization to be commemorated with a statue — joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and sportscaster Chick Hearn.
Moreover, Bryant received 15 All-NBA selections and won four All-Star Game MVP awards with L.A. In 2021, he was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
The Lakers will wear their Black Mamba uniforms on Thursday night against the Nuggets after the Kobe Bryant statue is unveiled pic.twitter.com/TdEcF3a75S
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 6, 2024
The Black Mamba uniforms feature a “snakeskin-like black print and drop shadows on the jersey numbers.” The designs pay homage to Bryant’s rookie season in 1996-97. The uniforms include “LA 24” on the belt and the Nos. 8 and 24 under the flap of each leg of the shorts.
The Black Mamba uniforms debuted during the 2017-18 season as the team’s first City Edition uniforms. Of course, the jerseys were inspired by Bryant.
In fact, the uniforms were first worn on Jan. 26, 2018, against the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers also wore the uniforms during the 2020 NBA Playoffs en route to winning their 17th NBA title.
Additionally, NBA fans can watch the unveiling of the Bryant statue live on Spectrum SportsNet, with coverage starting at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday, Feb. 8.
Public access to Star Plaza will be restricted Thursday because of event staging, per the news release. Fans will be allowed to view the statue in person at Star Plaza starting Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. PT.
Los Angeles Lakers to wear Black Mamba uniforms vs. Denver Nuggets, Kobe Bryant statue to be unveiled at Star Plaza
Furthermore, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss revealed plans to erect a statue for Bryant after he, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, six friends, and a pilot died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
The statue was created by renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany of the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany.
“Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of…