Los Angeles Lakers to Unveil Kobe Bryant Statue on Feb. 8

FILE - People visit the Star Plaza of Crypto.com Arena on July 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - People visit the Star Plaza of Crypto.com Arena on July 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
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Los Angeles Lakers to Unveil Kobe Bryant Statue on Feb. 8

FILE - People visit the Star Plaza of Crypto.com Arena on July 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - People visit the Star Plaza of Crypto.com Arena on July 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of Kobe Bryant outside their downtown arena on Feb. 8.
The 17-time NBA champion Lakers announced the plan Thursday to honor Bryant, the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history and a beloved mainstay of the franchise for 20 seasons. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
Bryant participated in the initial planning of his statue after his retirement in 2016, according to the Lakers. He is the sixth former Lakers player and seventh team employee to be honored with a statue in the so-called “Star Plaza” outside the arena, which has been the Lakers' home since 1999.
The 2/8/24 date of the unveiling is conspicuous: Kobe wore No. 8 and No. 24 during each half of his Lakers career, while Gianna wore No. 2 while playing youth basketball. The Bryants were flying together to a basketball competition with seven others when their helicopter crashed in fog in Calabasas, California.
Bryant's statue will join those of Lakers greats Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and broadcaster Chick Hearn. Star Plaza also includes statues of the Los Angeles Kings' Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Dustin Brown and announcer Bob Miller, along with champion boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
According to The Associated Press, the Lakers say they are planning “a series of physical tributes” to honor Bryant beyond the statue, which is designed by sculptor Julie 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 Los Angeles,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements.”



Ancelotti Optimistic Courtois Will Be Ready for Arsenal amid Madrid Keeper Crisis

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - April 4, 2025 Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti during press conference, a day after his trial for alleged tax fraud ended. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - April 4, 2025 Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti during press conference, a day after his trial for alleged tax fraud ended. (Reuters)
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Ancelotti Optimistic Courtois Will Be Ready for Arsenal amid Madrid Keeper Crisis

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - April 4, 2025 Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti during press conference, a day after his trial for alleged tax fraud ended. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - April 4, 2025 Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti during press conference, a day after his trial for alleged tax fraud ended. (Reuters)

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be fit for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal.

The Belgium international has battled several injuries this season and was absent for the last two matches, with Andriy Lunin standing in.

While Real's LaLiga match against Valencia on Saturday might come too soon for Courtois, Ancelotti believes the keeper will be available for the clash at Arsenal.

"There’s no concern. Courtois is much better, we believe he can make it to Tuesday," Ancelotti told reporters on Friday.

Lunin, however, could be out, with Spanish media reporting that the Ukrainian has sustained a calf muscle tear after the second leg of Spanish Cup semi-final against Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

"We have a doubt about Lunin, who will be tested today," the Real manager added.

With both Courtois and Lunin sidelined, it is likely that 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez will be in goal against Valencia.

"He's a great goalkeeper; his only problem is that he's young. If his time comes tomorrow, we'll be very happy for him, because we're all convinced he has a great future. No worries on our part," Ancelotti said.

Real are still in contention for a treble, trailing LaLiga leaders Barcelona by three points and set to face them in the Copa del Rey final at the end of the month.

"We’re doing well. Obviously, with some doubts due to the effort of extra time (against Real Sociedad). But the team is motivated," Ancelotti said.

"We have to be optimistic and believe we can do it. We’re very close in every competition, and we’re confident."