The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed plans to honor Phil Jackson with a statue, recognizing his significant contributions to the team. Jackson, who secured five of his 11 NBA coaching titles with the Lakers, will join other iconic figures in Star Plaza.
The announcement highlighted Jackson’s influence on championship basketball. Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ acting governor, stated, “Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason.” The statue’s unveiling is set for an April game during the 2026-27 season, making Jackson the ninth Lakers figure to be immortalized in bronze outside their downtown Los Angeles home.
Jackson celebrated significant victories with the Lakers, including a memorable Game 7 win against the Boston Celtics during the 2010 NBA Finals. His coaching tenure with the Lakers split into two periods: from 1999 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2011. During these years, he led the team to five NBA championships.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were fundamental to a three-peat of titles under Jackson’s guidance. Later, Bryant and Pau Gasol spearheaded two more championship seasons. Jackson’s legacy extends beyond the Lakers. He coached Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships, achieving two separate three-peats.
Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Outside their arena, the Lakers honor several figures with statues. These include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant, among others. Bryant, with his impact on and off the court, is commemorated with two statues, one of which includes his daughter, Gianna.
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