Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson to be honored with statue at famed Star Plaza, team says
Phil Jackson will be honored with a bronze statue at the Lakers' downtown Los Angeles home, becoming the ninth player-coach to receive such recognition at Star Plaza. The Lakers announced Tuesday that the tribute will be unveiled before an April game during the 2026-27 season, cementing Jackson's place among the franchise's most celebrated figures.
Acting Lakers governor Jeanie Buss praised the coach's legacy, stating, "Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason." The statement emphasized how Jackson's masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After accepting his father's invitation to join the Lakers, Jackson's unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored the team's championship legacy, leading the franchise to five NBA titles across two separate tenures spanning from 1999 to 2011.
The statue will join nine existing memorials at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, including tributes to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Each figure represents a distinct era of Lakers history, with several sharing the same outdoor monument complex.
Jackson's accomplishments extend far beyond his time with Los Angeles. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. During his two stints with the Lakers, he guided the team to multiple championships alongside stars like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal, culminating in a three-peat title run. Bryant remained the focal point for the final two championships, supported by Pau Gasol.
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for early April of the 2026-27 season, marking a fitting milestone for a coach whose influence continues to shape the sport. As Buss noted, Jackson's contributions deserve recognition through this enduring tribute to his lasting impact on professional basketball.
