Phil Jackson and his place in Lakers history is already secure, but the franchise is about to make it permanent.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Tuesday that Jackson will receive a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, adding the Hall of Fame coach to the franchise’s legendary collection of basketball icons. The unveiling is scheduled for April 9, 2027, ahead of the Lakers’ home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Jackson spent 11 seasons as Lakers head coach across two separate stints from 1999-2004 and 2005-11. During that time, he helped guide the organization to five NBA championships, including the famous three-peat from 2000-02 and back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss praised Jackson’s impact on the franchise in a statement.
“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come.
“It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”
Jackson’s coaching résumé is unmatched. He won 11 NBA championships as a head coach, the most in league history, and built championship teams around stars including Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol. His trademark triangle offense became synonymous with some of the NBA’s most dominant teams.
The 80-year-old was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and was later recognized as one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history during the league’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
Once unveiled, Jackson will become the ninth Lakers figure honored with a statue at Star Plaza. He will join franchise legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, who is represented by two separate statues.
The statue is being designed by renowned sculptor Omri Amrany of Rotblatt Amrany Studio, according to McMenamin.
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