Lisa Leslie Shares Kobe Bryant's Impact and Statue Honor on Jennifer Hudson Show

Breaking news to your phone. US mobile only. No password required.

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

West End / UK

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

Ctrl + K to open · Esc to close

The WNBA legend opens up about a landmark career honor and a friendship that shaped her path.

Most Popular

Get all the top news & discounts for TV & beyond. No password required.

Lisa Leslie sat down with Jennifer Hudson on THE Jennifer Hudson SHOW to talk about two major milestones in her basketball career: her connection to Kobe Bryant and the unveiling of her own statue, a recognition that places her among a small group of athletes honored with a permanent likeness.

Leslie used the appearance to reflect on what Bryant meant to her over the course of her career, sharing memories of the late Lakers star as part of a wider conversation about the impact he had on those around him in basketball. She also spoke about the significance of having a statue made in her honor, describing what it means to see her own legacy memorialized in that way.

The conversation gave Hudson's studio audience insight into Leslie's perspective on a career that has included both personal milestones and public recognition, with the statue serving as a marker of how far her legacy in the sport has traveled since her playing days.

Much of the segment centered on Leslie's own words about Bryant and the statue, offering viewers a firsthand account of what both moments meant to her rather than a secondhand retelling of her achievements.

Prefer BroadwayWorld in Google Search?

Add us as a preferred source so our stories show up more often in Top Stories and Google’s AI answers — for you.

Nominate your favorite local productions and performers before the deadline on October 31, 2026.

SLOW HORSES Season 6 Episode 3 to Premiere on Apple TV

Ryan Murphy Has Finished Writing a GLEE Reboot Script

LAST SEEN Episode Five to Premiere on Apple TV

Jessie J to headline St Paul's Cathedral benefit concert for Shelter

Also text me

When are you seeing ?

Get an Alert Each Time Rachel Stone Writes

BroadwayWorld TV

Breaking Broadway news and show discounts. No password required.

Breaking Broadway news on your phone. US mobile numbers only.

POPULAR

Sign up for announcements and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 — Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

Episode

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Lisa-Leslie-Recalls-Kobe-Bryants-Influence-and-Getting-Her-Own-Statue-20260929)._