Phil Jackson, known for securing a record 11 NBA coaching titles, will be commemorated with a statue by the Los Angeles Lakers. The team confirmed this on Tuesday.

Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ acting governor, stated, Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason.

The statue will be unveiled before a game in April of the 2026-27 season, making Jackson the ninth figure to be immortalized in bronze at Star Plaza outside the Lakers’ venue in downtown Los Angeles.

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.

The statement emphasized Jackson’s deserving nature for this honor due to his illustrious career and highlighted the joy in celebrating his achievements with a well-deserved statue.

Jackson, approaching his 81st birthday, coached the Lakers over 11 seasons, divided into two stints. The first term was from 1999 to 2004, and the second from 2005 to 2011.

Under Jackson’s guidance, the Lakers clinched five NBA championships. Legendary players Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were pivotal in the three-peat victory. Later, Bryant, alongside Pau Gasol, secured the final two titles.

Phil Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. He is considered one of the best coaches in NBA history, famously guiding Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships.

Star Plaza already features statues of renowned Lakers figures such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal. Kobe Bryant’s legacy is honored with two statues, one of which includes his late daughter, Gianna.