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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers are honoring Pat Riley with a statue at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, joining the iconic figures already celebrated there.
Among the 12 current statues, 7 are Lakers-related (Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, and announcer Chick Hearn), 4 honor Kings legends, and 1 is dedicated to boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
Riley will become the third former Lakers coach to receive a statue, alongside Jerry West and Magic Johnson, though Riley’s legacy is most strongly tied to his coaching success.
He played for the Lakers from 1970-1975 and served on the coaching staff from 1979-1990, leading the team to five championships—four as head coach and one as an assistant.
Now 79, Riley has been with the Miami Heat since 1995. Just last month, the Heat announced they would dedicate their court to him, solidifying his legendary status across the NBA.