Miami Heat team president Pat Riley has earned another honor, this time from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he's grateful for the opportunity.

Zachary Weinberger is a credentialed Miami Heat reporter and an Associate Editor covering the NBA at-large, NCAA Football, and NCAA Basketball for ClutchPoints. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022, covering sports at the FAU University Press and later at The Palm Beach Post.

Just a few weeks after the Heat dedicated its home court to Pat Riley, he learned that he will also be honored on the West Coast for his work with the Lakers.

Pat Riley, famed Lakers coach, will receive the same recognition players like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson have, a statue at Crypto.com Arena.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers will honor former coach Pat Riley with a statue outside their downtown arena.

Magic Johnson and other Showtime Los Angeles Lakers legends joined Jeanie Buss to tell Pat Riley that he would be honored with a statue.

The eighth Laker to be commemorated in Star Plaza, Riley will join Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West. Set for completion in 2026, the Lakers will announce the official unveiling date at a later time.

The Miami owner has been an important figure in almost 25% of all NBA Finals appearances, whether it has been as an executive, a player or a coach.

"The Godfather" reflects on his journey after the Lakers announced that he will soon have a statue outside the Crypto.com arena

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced plans to erect a statue honoring NBA legend Pat Riley for his remarkable contributions as the team’s head coach during the “Showtime” era. The current Miami Heat president responded with heartfelt gratitude to this significant tribute.

The Los Angeles Lakers announced that legendary head coach Pat Riley will be receiving a statue in Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena. Riley is one of the greatest coaches in NBA history and was a mastermind behind the ‘Showtime’ era Lakers led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.