The Lakers will pay tribute to former coach Pat Riley by unveiling a statue outside the arena.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers are set to pay tribute to former coach Pat Riley by erecting a statue outside their downtown arena. The announcement made on Monday reveals that the statue will be placed in Star Plaza, commemorating the coach who secured four championships with the "Showtime" Lakers during the 1980s. In addition to his coaching success, Riley also earned championship rings as both a player and an assistant coach with the Lakers. At 79 years old, Riley has spent the last thirty years with the Miami Heat in various coaching and executive roles; however, his foundational ties to the NBA are deeply rooted in the Lakers organization. He played for Los Angeles from 1970 to 1975 and served as a team broadcaster before becoming an assistant to Paul Westhead in 1979. He assumed the head coaching position in 1981, guiding the Lakers through one of the most exhilarating periods in NBA history. Under his leadership, and with stars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers achieved a remarkable record of 533 wins and 194 losses (.733) during his tenure, along with 102 playoff victories over nine predominantly successful seasons.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss remarked in a statement, "Pat is a true icon of the Lakers. His professionalism, dedication to his craft, and meticulous game preparation have significantly influenced the coaching standards we observe throughout the league today. My father recognized Pat's passion and his remarkable ability to unite talented players into a championship-caliber team. The style of basketball that Pat and the Lakers established in the 1980s continues to serve as the foundational blueprint for our organization: a team that is both entertaining and successful." Riley is set to become the eighth Lakers legend to receive a statue in Star Plaza, which has evolved into a notable tourist destination. The other honorees include Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and broadcaster Chick Hearn. Following his tenure with the Lakers, Riley coached the New York Knicks for four seasons before taking on the roles of team president and head coach for the Miami Heat in 1995. He has held the position of president in Miami ever since, securing another NBA championship in 2006 during his two terms as head coach of the Heat.