The Los Angeles Lakers announced that former head coach Pat Riley will be receiving a statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena. The official unveiling date has yet to be announced, but construction on the statue is expected to be finished in 2026.
Riley is one of the greatest coaches in Lakers history and was a big part of the franchise’s success during the ‘Showtime’ era of the 1980s. Originally hired as an assistant in 1980, Riley would take over as head coach during the 1981-82 season.
The Lakers won at least 50 games in each of his nine seasons as head coach, including four seasons with at least 60 wins.