The Los Angeles Lakers will honor Hall-of-Famer Elgin Baylor with a statue outside of STAPLES Center, the team announced Tuesday:
The Los Angeles Lakers, STAPLES Center and AEG announced today the plans for a statue dedicated to Elgin Baylor at Star Plaza at STAPLES Center. The statue will be unveiled on April 6th during an outdoor ceremony at STAPLES Center prior to the Lakers vs. Minnesota game.
“I am thrilled that 60 years after the Minneapolis Lakers drafted Elgin, we are able to celebrate and honor him with a statue,” said Lakers CEO and Controlling Owner Jeanie Buss. “Not only is Elgin a part of the Lakers family, his contributions to the game of basketball earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. His list of accomplishments are unparalleled and I can’t wait to see his statue at Star Plaza alongside the other Lakers legends.”
This is a great honor that is, frankly, overdue. Baylor is a Lakers legend. He’s their franchise leader in total rebounds and points per game.
Baylor spent all 14 years of his NBA career with the Lakers, averaging 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He was an 11-time All-Star. Baylor never won a championship (unless you count the one the team won when he was inactive) but appeared in eight NBA Finals.
