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Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Jarred Vanderbilt to a contract extension, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. 

After joining Los Angeles via trade from the Utah Jazz on Feb. 9, Vanderbilt (6’9”, 214) appeared in 26 games (24 starts) and averaged 7.2 points (52.9 FG%), 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 24.1 minutes per contest to end the 2022-23 regular season. Overall, Vanderbilt suited up in 78 games (65 starts) with the Lakers and Jazz last season, averaging 7.9 points (54.8 FG%), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.1 minutes per game. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs with the purple and gold, the 24-year-old saw action in 15 games (13 starts) and averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per contest.&nbsp;

Across five professional NBA seasons, Vanderbilt has appeared in 244 career games (162 starts) suiting up for Los Angeles (2022-23), Utah (2022-23), Minnesota (2019-22) and Denver (2018-20). The Texas native owns career averages of 6.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.6 minutes per game, shooting 57.3 percent overall from the field. In postseason action, Vanderbilt has appeared in 24 career games (19 starts) for the Lakers (2022-23), Timberwolves (2021-22) and Nuggets (2018-19), posting averages of 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.&nbsp;

Vanderbilt was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 41st overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after one collegiate season (2017-18) at the University of Kentucky. In his lone campaign with the Wildcats, Vanderbilt averaged 5.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per contest.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Jarred Vanderbilt to Contract Extension

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon and guards Damion Baugh, Bryce Hamilton and Scotty Pippen Jr., it was announced today.&nbsp;

Valerio-Bodon (6’9”, 200) most recently appeared in 30 games (all starts) for Sopron KC of the Hungarian NBIA during the 2022-23 season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line. The 22-year-old previously played for DEAC of the Hungarian NBIA in 2021-22, appearing in 28 games (24 starts) and averaging of 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game. Valerio-Bodon saw action in one game for the Boston Celtics at 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, recording 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes.&nbsp;

Baugh (6’4”, 194) begins his professional career after spending the past four seasons at TCU (2021-23) and the University of Memphis (2019-21). Collegiately, the Tennessee native appeared in 117 career games (88 starts), registering averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.8 minutes. In his final season as a Horned Frog, Baugh appeared in 29 games (all starts) and averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.0 minutes per game, earning him All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He concluded the season ranked third in the conference in total assists (169) and 13th in the NCAA in assists per game (5.8).&nbsp;

Hamilton (6’4”, 205) appeared in 29 regular season games (27 starts) as a rookie last season for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. The Pasadena, Calif., native played four collegiate seasons at UNLV (2018-22), appearing in 119 games (69 starts) and averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest. His career-high 21.8 points per game average as a senior led all conference players. Hamilton earned a spot on three consecutive All-Mountain West conference teams, including two first team selections in 2019-20 and 2021-22.&nbsp;

As a rookie in 2022-23, Pippen Jr. (6’1”, 185) suited up in 19 NBA G League regular season games (four starts) for South Bay, posting averages of 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. The 22-year-old was selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend and was named NBA G League Player of the Week on Dec. 19. Additionally, he appeared in six games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 2.3 points in 5.3 minutes. In three collegiate seasons (2019-22) at Vanderbilt University, he appeared in 90 games (89 starts) and averaged 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.6 minutes. Pippen Jr. earned All-SEC First Team honors following his sophomore and junior campaigns.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Four Players

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward/center Christian Wood, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. 

Wood (6’10”, 223) most recently appeared in 67 games (17 starts) with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season, averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game, while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from 3-point range. Last season, the California native notched 12 double-doubles and scored in double figures in 54 games, including 25 contests scoring 20 or more points. Wood blocked at least one shot in 42 games last season, including 17 games with multiple rejections and two games in which he swatted a season-best five shots.&nbsp;

Across seven NBA seasons with Dallas, Houston (2020-22), Detroit (2019-20), New Orleans (2018-19), Milwaukee (2018-19), Charlotte (2016-17) and Philadelphia (2015-16), the 27-year-old has appeared in 289 career games (139 starts), posting averages of 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.2 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.&nbsp;

Wood played two collegiate seasons (2013-15) at UNLV, appearing in 63 total games (34 starts) and averaging 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Christian Wood

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Kobe’s legacy immortalized: Kobe Statue Unveiling 2.8.24

On 2.8.24, fans can forever pay tribute to beloved Lakers Legend and five-time champion Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers and Vanessa Bryant announced today that they will unveil Kobe Bryant’s bronze statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 8, 2024, prior to the Lakers’ home game that evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker,” said Vanessa Bryant in a video to fans posted at 8:24 this morning. “Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as the house that Kobe built, we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever.”&nbsp;

Following his retirement, Kobe Bryant participated in the initial planning of the anticipated statue to come at Star Plaza. This is the first in a series of physical tributes to honor his legacy. Bryant will be the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a statue, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West and Chick Hearn. The statue was created by renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany of the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time, and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles,” said Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers Governor. “There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements.”

The Feb. 8 ceremony will be outside the arena and details will be released in the coming months.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Kobe’s transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts – inspiring us every day,” said Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. “And now, with the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, he will have a physical presence, too. A place on the hallowed ground Kobe created, where we can all gather and pay honor to a mighty and great man.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, retired as the first player in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons with a single franchise. Known for his ‘Mamba Mentality,’ he helped guide the Lakers to five NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) and earned Finals MVP honors in 2009 and 2010. Voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008, Bryant earned All-NBA honors 15 times, including 11 First Team selections, and was named to 12 All-Defensive Teams throughout his career, including nine All-Defensive First Team honors.

The Hall-of-Famer and two-time Olympic gold medalist stands as the purple and gold’s all-time leader in regular season games played (1,346), points (33,643), 3-pointers made (1,827), steals (1,944) and free throws made (8,378), while owning franchise playoff records for games played (220), points (5,640), 3-pointers made (292) and free throws made (1,320). A two-time scoring champion, Bryant scored a career-high and franchise-best 81 points on Jan. 22, 2006, at home versus Toronto. The Lakers retired Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys on Dec. 18, 2017.&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tickets to attend this special Lakers game on Feb. 8, as well as the entire 2023-24 season, are available starting Aug. 25 at 12pm PT.

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Lakers to Unveil Kobe Bryant Statue on 2.8.24

&nbsp;The Los Angeles Lakers announced their 2023-24 regular season schedule, presented by Delta Air Lines. The Lakers will tip off the new season on the road against Denver on Tuesday, Oct. 24, marking a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals. Los Angeles will open its home slate on Thursday, Oct. 26, versus Phoenix at Crypto.com Arena.&nbsp;

In this year’s campaign, the Lakers will be featured on national television 40 times, with 11 games on TNT, 11 games on ESPN, six games on ABC and 12 games on NBA TV.&nbsp;

Los Angeles will play on Christmas Day for the 25th consecutive season when it hosts Boston on Monday, Dec. 25. The team will also be featured at home on Martin Luther King Jr. Day versus Oklahoma City on Monday, Jan. 15.&nbsp;

The Lakers’ longest stretch at Crypto.com Arena will be a six-game homestand, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 29, versus Washington and ending on Sunday, March 10, against Minnesota. The purple and gold’s longest road trip of the campaign spans six games, beginning Saturday, Jan. 27, at Golden State and ending on Monday, Feb. 5, at Charlotte. The team’s schedule also contains 15 back-to-back sets.&nbsp;

Additionally, the Lakers will compete in West Group A as part of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, playing at Phoenix on Friday, Nov. 10, hosting Memphis on Tuesday, Nov. 14, traveling to Portland on Friday, Nov. 17, and welcoming Utah on Tuesday, Nov. 21.&nbsp;

Spectrum SportsNet will serve as the exclusive regional broadcast home for Lakers basketball for the 12th consecutive season. Additionally, all games can be heard on the team’s flagship radio station, 710 AM ESPNLA, and in Spanish on KWKW 1330 AM.&nbsp;

Lakers tickets are scheduled to go on sale to the public on Friday, Aug. 25, via Ticketmaster.&nbsp;

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023-24 regular season schedule is presented by Delta Air Lines, the official airline of the Lakers. In addition to in-game signage and the Delta Sky360° Club at Crypto.com Arena, Delta and the Lakers have partnered in outreach efforts to the Los Angeles community, including the annual ‘Salute to Our Troops’ program.&nbsp;

The Lakers’ entire 2023-24 schedule can be found at Lakers.com/schedule.&nbsp;

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Lakers Announce 2023-24 Season Schedule, Presented by Delta Air Lines

All twelve Los Angeles professional sports organizations are teaming up to donate $450,000 to help people affected by the Hawaii wildfires. The Angels, Angel City Football Club, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Anaheim Ducks, LA Galaxy, LAFC, Kings, Lakers, Rams and Sparks have all come together to support the American Red Cross relief efforts for those in need. 

Despite California and Hawaii being separated by more than 2,000 miles, the two states are very connected with a robust Hawaiian community calling Southern California home. Many of LA’s sports teams have contributed to deepening that relationship. The Lakers held training camps in Hawaii for more than 25 years, have played multiple preseason games in Honolulu and had a Showtime reunion on Maui in 2022. The Rams played a preseason game in Hawaii in 2019. In 2022, the Dodgers opened a baseball and softball training academy in Waipahu. The Chargers have played multiple preseason games in Hawaii including in 1961 and 1976. During the LA Galaxy’s 2005 MLS Cup championship campaign, the club held a preseason training camp in Hawaii and competed in the Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii in 2008. For several seasons, the Angels had a Triple-A affiliate in Honolulu that produced several future Major Leaguers, including Angels Hall of Famer Bobby Knoop.&nbsp;

For fans interested in donating to American Red Cross to support their Hawaii Fire Relief efforts, more details can be found at www.redcross.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Sports Teams Unite to Donate $450,000 to American Red Cross to Help People Impacted by Hawaii Wildfires 

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Anthony Davis to a contract extension, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. 

“In our conversations with Anthony, his desire to lead our franchise for the next several years became abundantly clear,” Pelinka said. “AD understands that his commitment to being the hardest worker, combined with his high character, is what will help define our culture for many seasons to come. It is a proud day for Lakers Nation when we’re able to extend the contract of one of the game’s most dominant two-way players.”&nbsp;

During the recent 2022-23 season, Davis appeared in 56 games (54 starts) for the Lakers, averaging 25.9 points on a career-best 56.3 percent shooting from the floor, a career-high 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.0 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game. The 30-year-old became the first Lakers player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000-01 to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in a campaign. The Chicago native was named Western Conference Player of the Month once and earned two conference player of the week honors. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Davis helped guide the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals by averaging 22.6 points (52.0 FG%), an NBA-best 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and a league-leading 3.1 blocks in 38.0 minutes across 16 games (all starts).&nbsp;

Davis, who was originally acquired by Los Angeles on July 6, 2019, as part of a three-team trade before re-signing with the team on Dec. 3, 2020, has appeared in 194 regular season games (192 starts) across four seasons with the Lakers, averaging 24.6 points (52.4 FG%), 10.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 34.0 minutes. The 2020 NBA Champion has suited up in 42 playoff games (all starts) with the purple and gold, averaging 24.5 points (53.6 FG%), 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks in 36.2 minutes per game.&nbsp;

Throughout his 11-year NBA career, Davis has been named an NBA All-Star on eight occasions, earned four All-NBA First Team honors and was selected to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. In 660 career regular season games (653 starts) suiting up for Los Angeles and New Orleans (2012- 19), Davis has averaged 24.0 points (51.9 FG%), 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks in 34.4 minutes per contest. In 55 career NBA Playoff appearances (all starts) with the Lakers and Pelicans, he holds career averages of 25.9 points (53.3 FG%), 11.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks in 37.3 minutes per game. The four-time All-Defensive Team selection is one of eight players in NBA history to win an NBA Championship, an NCAA Championship and an Olympic gold medal.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Anthony Davis to Contract Extension

Game Time Update: The start time for the preseason game on 10/15 at Crypto.com Arena has been moved to 4pm PT