Lakers to honor Pat Riley with statue in Star Plaza

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The man who helped define the Los Angeles Lakers’ “Showtime” era in the 1980s will soon be immortalized in Star Plaza.

On Aug. 15, 2025, the Lakers announced they will unveil a statue of former head coach Pat Riley on Feb. 22, 2026. Riley guided the team to four NBA championships during the franchise’s iconic “Showtime” run.

Riley began his Lakers career as an assistant coach in 1979 before being promoted to head coach at the start of the 1981 season.

Over the next eight seasons, he built a dynasty alongside Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy.

His tenure became a turning point in Lakers history, as the team revolutionized the NBA in the 1980s with a fast-paced, flashy, and highly efficient offense.

From 1982 to 1988, the Lakers thrived under Riley’s leadership, becoming the first NBA team to fully commit to an up-tempo, fast-break style during multiple title runs.

“My dad recognized Pat’s obsession and ability to take talented players and coalesce them into a championship team,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. “The style of basketball Pat and the Lakers created in the ’80s is still the blueprint for the organization today: an entertaining and winning team.”

The tribute will take place during a regular-season game against the Lakers’ long-time rival, the Boston Celtics.

Riley will join Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and Chick Hearn as the only Lakers honored with a statue.

“His professionalism, commitment to his craft, and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today,” Buss added.