President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Kobe Bryant and Muhammad Ali will be honored with statues in the planned National Garden of American Heroes, a tribute site dedicated to commemorating significant figures in American history.
Speaking at a Black History Month event at the White House, Trump revealed that Bryant and Ali will be among over 200 individuals memorialized in the garden, which will feature statues, busts, and plaques honoring pioneers across sports, civil rights, and politics. Trump also confirmed that baseball icon Jackie Robinson will be recognized in the project.
"Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali," Trump said during the announcement. "And the late Kobe Bryant-people love Kobe Bryant." The president added that his close friend, Tiger Woods, would be honored separately at a later time.
Originally proposed in 2020 during Trump's first term, the National Garden of American Heroes never materialized. Now, with Trump back in office, his administration is pressing forward with plans for the project. While the exact location remains undetermined, officials have indicated that they are working to secure a site "sooner rather than later." The garden is expected to be located on or near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and one of the most revered athletes of his generation, died in a helicopter crash in January 2020 alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. The announcement of his statue comes just days after the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a second statue of the late star outside Crypto.com Arena, with a third expected in the future.
Ali, the legendary heavyweight boxing champion and activist, remains one of the most influential sports figures in history. His impact extended beyond the ring, as he became a symbol of resistance, social change, and humanitarian efforts throughout his lifetime.
Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in Major League Baseball, broke baseball's color barrier in 1947, paving the way for racial integration in professional sports. He is already honored with a statue outside Dodger Stadium and a league-wide retirement of his number, 42.
The National Garden of American Heroes will also feature figures such as Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Coretta Scott King, Neil Armstrong, and John F. Kennedy.
