Lakers great Elgin Baylor, right, drives against Golden State’s McCoy McLemore during a game in 1965. Baylor will get a statue outside Staples Center this spring, an honor many believe was long overdue. (AP Photo)

One of the best-shooting and passing forwards of all time, Elgin Baylor was among the league’s best players in the 1960s, leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals eight times in his 13 seasons. He was named first-team All-NBA 10 times and his 38.3 point average in 1961-62 is a Lakers single-season record. (Photo by Vernon Biever, NBAE via Getty Images)

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Elgin Baylor was at his best on April 14, 1962, when he scored 61 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in a 126-121 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Though the Celtics came back to win the next two games and the title, Baylor’s scoring feat remains a Finals record. (AP photo)

The Lakers’ Elgin Baylor maneuvers his way through New York Knicks Bill Bradley, left, and Dick Barnett on his way to the basket during an NBA playoff games on May 1, 1970 at the Forum in Inglewood. Baylor’s career playoff scoring average of 27 points is surpassed among Lakers only by Jerry West and Shaquille O’Neal. (AP Photo)

One of the best-shooting and passing forwards of all time, Elgin Baylor was among the league’s best players in the 1960s, leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals eight times in his 13 seasons. He was named first-team All-NBA 10 times. (NBA Photos/Getty Images)



Lakers great Elgin Baylor, right, will get a statue outside Staples Center this spring, an honor many believe was long overdue. (AP Photo)

Elgin Baylor was on hand for the unveiling of Shaquille O’Neal’s statue outside of Staples Center last spring, just as he was when teammate Jerry West made his debut in bronze, and for ceremonies honoring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his friend Chick Hearn.

This spring, Baylor will finally be the one whose likeness shines in the Southern California sun when the Lakers unveil a statue honoring the Hall of Fame forward on April 6.

“It’s something people have been talking to me about for some time,” Baylor, 83, told the Southern California News Group. “I’m honored to have it happen.”

After longtime Kings broadcaster Bob Miller received a statue at Star Plaza on Saturday, Baylor will become the 10th person, and fifth Lakers representative, to receive the honor. The ceremony to unveil Baylor’s statue, the sort he has attended as a supporter, will be held before the Lakers’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers announced on Tuesday plans for the statue, which were previously reported by the Southern California News Group.

OFFICIAL: Lakers To Honor Elgin Baylor With a Statue at @STAPLESCenter https://t.co/YiD2jcqhGW — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 16, 2018

“I don’t know how I’m going to react or anything once I see it,” Baylor said, “because nothing like that has ever happened before. But I’m sure that I will enjoy it. Will get an opportunity to probably see some of the people I played basketball with, some of the guys. And I think it should be an interesting day, a fun day.”

In a statement, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said that she was “thrilled” that the Lakers could “celebrate and honor him with a statue.”

“Not only is Elgin a part of the Lakers family,” she said, “his contributions to the game of basketball earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. His list of accomplishments are unparalleled and I can’t wait to see his statue at Star Plaza alongside the other Lakers legends.”

Perhaps the first great Lakers player of the Los Angeles era, Baylor made the move from Minneapolis with the team in 1960, and went on to spend his entire 14-year-career with the franchise. His No. 22 jersey is one of 11 to be retired by the Lakers and he ranks in the team’s all-time top five in points, minutes and field goals. He is the franchise’s career leader in rebounds with 11,463.

Baylor spent 22 years as the Clippers’ general manager, winning Executive of the Year in 2006.

To some, a statue for Baylor was long overdue. However, it was something Baylor said he had never really considered.

“I was just happy to be part of the organization for all those years,” he said, “just to be a professional player and play, but really I never have given it any thought about them giving me a statue or anything like that.”

Baylor averaged 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds over the course of his career. He appeared in 11 All-Star games and was a first-team All-NBA player on 10 occasions.

He famously ended his illustrious career nine games into the 1971-72 season, retiring one game before the Lakers reeled off a league-record 33 consecutive wins en route to their first championship in L.A. He is generally considered one of the greatest players to never win a championship, having lost in the NBA Finals seven times.

Baylor recognizes that a shrinking number of fans are old enough to remember his playing days. When asked what he hoped people remembered about his career, he paused as he searched for an answer.

“Be honest, I never really thought about it,” he said. “Just that the fact that I went out, gave 100 percent, everything I had, enjoyed playing. I had terrific teammates, and just enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. And nothing else to say, but pleased that they’re building a statue and excited to see how it goes.”