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LOS ANGELES — The Lakers on Friday afternoon unveiled the second Kobe Bryant statue, with the latest sculpture honoring the late Lakers icon’s relationship with his daughter, Gianna, and “his unwavering pride in being a “Girl Dad.”

The 1,800-pound bronze statue depicts Kobe and Gianna Bryant sitting courtside at a Lakers-Dallas Mavericks game on Dec. 29, 2019. Just like he was during the game, Kobe’s statue is wearing a Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gianna gifted him and an orange WNBA hoodie.

The statue, which is outside Crypto.com Arena’s 11th Street entrance near Chick Hearn Court and Georgia Street, shows Kobe kissing his daughter on the head with his right arm around her. The statue is the second of three planned monuments to the Lakers legend, who died in a tragic helicopter crash along with Gigi and seven others on Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas.

Angel wings sit behind them, with the two also surrounded by hedges and rounded symmetrical benches reflecting an Italianate Garden as an ode to Kobe’s childhood in Italy. There are purple and gold flowers surrounding the sculpture and engraved butterflies made of purple onyx and golden vein onyx border the flowers “symbolizing transformation and hope.”

There’s a plaque in front of the statue that reads: “Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She’s got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.” The quote is attributed to Kobe Bryant, the “Most Valuable Girl Dad”.

Above the quote reads: “Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports” and “Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports” with the Mamba and Mambacita logo in the center.

During a private tented ceremony with friends and family to unveil the statue on Friday, Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, said:

“We were faced with the harsh reality that no matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how great her daddy taught her how to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities that her dad and young men currently have because she’s a girl. That’s when the challenge to change the perception of women’s sports started in our household. Gianna would be going into her first year of college this year. We would be watching her shine on the court. Now her spirit is shining a path she has created for young girls and for women in sports.

“In honor of Kobe and Gigi, I ask you this: give young girls your time. Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can exceed that, because they can, they have and they will. Iron sharpens iron. Reassure that confidence and see how much they thrive. Sometimes, all we need is one person to believe in us, even if that one person is ourselves. Take girls to watch women play sports. Buy those tickets to the game if you can. Watch women’s games on TV with your daughters, nieces and cousins. If young girls can see professional women play, they know they have the potential to be them. They know those ambitions aren’t just dreams but will become a reality. Let’s build up the next generation of athletes. It’s what Gigi and Kobe would want us to do. Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl.”

The Lakers on Feb. 8 as he walked off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.

Vanessa Bryant revealed during the dedication ceremony in February that the statue was the first of three that will be created to honor the five-time NBA champion, who retired in 2016.

The third and final statue will feature Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore for the second half of his career. It is expected to be unveiled sometime next season, according to an ESPN report.

Similar to the February ceremony (2/8/24), Friday (8/2/24) has similar numerical significance, as it represents both of Kobe’s jersey numbers (Nos. 8 and 24) Gianna’s No. 2 jersey number.

The latest statue will be open and available for public viewing beginning Saturday at 9 a.m.