Hollywood wants to honor Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant in a big way.
NBCLA has exclusively learned that a request has been made to immortalize Bryant's hands and footprints during a ceremony at the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.
NBCLA has also confirmed that the Manns Theater chain, which owns Grauman’s, has given the OK for the ceremony to take place close to the Feb. 20 All-Star Game, which is at Staples Center.
"We were approached by someone to carryout the ceremony during the All-Star Game week in February," said a theater spokesperson. "However, the city of Los Angeles still needs to sign off on the request and approve the proper permits."
This could be the first time that Grauman's will honor an athlete with the high-profile hand and footprints ceremony. Normally, such honors are reserved for movie stars.
"It would be a mock ceremony of sorts," adds the Grauman's Theater spokesperson. "I don’t know where Bryant's hand and footprints will eventually be on display, but they will not be in the forecourt outside the theater."
NBLCA also asked who made the initial request to honor Bryant. The spokesperson said that would be made public when the city of Los Angeles signs off on the ceremony request.
