Phil Jackson to Receive Statue at Star Plaza, Los Angeles Lakers Announce

<p>Phil Jackson, who won five of his record 11 NBA coaching titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, will be honored with a statue, the team confirmed on September 8, 2026.</p><p>"Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason," Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss stated in a press release.</p><p>The statue honoring Jackson will be unveiled before a game in April during the 2026-27 season, making him the ninth member of the Lakers to be commemorated in bronze at Star Plaza outside the Lakers’ home in downtown Los Angeles.</p><p>According to Buss, "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."</p><p>The statement emphasized Jackson's deserving nature for the honor, stating, "It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves."</p><p>Jackson, who will celebrate his 81st birthday next week, coached the Lakers for 11 seasons over two separate stints. His first tenure began in 1999 and lasted through 2004, while his second ran from 2005 to 2011.</p><p>During his time as head coach, Jackson led the Lakers to five NBA championships. Notable players during this period included Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, who contributed to a three-peat title run, with Bryant remaining the centerpiece for the final two championships alongside Pau Gasol.</p><p>Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2007 class and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, having also guided Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships across two separate three-peats.</p><p>Other former Lakers players, coaches, and contributors with permanent statues outside Crypto.com Arena include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Bryant has two statues at Star Plaza, one of which honors his late daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onor’e Bryant.</p>