A former Kentucky Wildcat is set to be immortalized by one of basketball’s most iconic franchises. Pat Riley, widely recognized as the “Godfather,” will soon join Lakers legends with a statue in his honor outside Crypto.com Arena’s Star Plaza.
The tribute celebrates Riley’s incredible impact as head coach of the Showtime Lakers, where he guided the team to four NBA championships between 1981 and 1990. The unveiling will take place on February 22 during the 2025-26 season, when the Lakers host their historic rival, the Boston Celtics.
At 80 years old, Pat Riley will take his place among Lakers immortality, joining icons like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant with a bronze statue outside Crypto.com Arena. He becomes the franchise’s eighth basketball figure to receive such an honor.
Riley’s ties to the Lakers run deep. Before his legendary coaching run, he played for the team from 1970 to 1975, helping secure the 1972 championship. He later served as a broadcaster and assistant coach before ascending to head coach in 1981, where he shaped one of the most celebrated dynasties in NBA history.
Pat Riley’s journey to basketball greatness began at Kentucky, where he played under legendary coach Adolph Rupp from 1964 to 1967. After one season on the freshman squad, the 6-foot-4 guard became a standout on varsity, earning All-SEC First Team honors in both his junior and senior years.
In 1966, Riley was named SEC Player of the Year after averaging 22 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, cementing his status as one of the program’s all-time greats. His No. 42 jersey now hangs in the rafters of Rupp Arena, forever honoring his contributions to Kentucky basketball.
Following his standout career at Kentucky, Riley was selected seventh overall in the 1967 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets, now the Houston Rockets. He went on to play nearly a decade in the NBA with the Rockets, Lakers, and Phoenix Suns before retiring in 1976. Transitioning to coaching, Riley became a fixture with the Lakers, first as an assistant and later as head coach, guiding them to multiple championships. He later spent four seasons (1991–95) leading the New York Knicks, taking the team to the 1994 NBA Finals.
Riley’s next chapter came with the Miami Heat, where he served as head coach from 1995 to 2008, capturing his fifth championship in 2006. After stepping away from coaching, he transitioned into a full-time executive role as the franchise’s president. Under his leadership, Miami secured two more titles in 2012 and 2013. His impact was further immortalized when the Heat named their home court in his honor during the 2023–24 season.
Over the course of his legendary career as a player, coach, and executive, Riley has collected nine NBA championships, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in basketball history. Few in the sport have matched his impact, making his upcoming statue a fitting tribute. Hopefully, though, the likeness fares better than the much-discussed Dwyane Wade statue unveiled by the Heat.
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