On Friday, a new statue was unveiled honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Maria-Onoré Bryant. This touching bronze statue, prominently displayed outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, depicts Kobe Bryant and Gianna embracing.
According to a press release from the Los Angeles Lakers, the statue celebrates Kobe’s deep love for his daughters and acknowledges his pride as a ‘Girl Dad’. It also highlights the Bryant family’s support for women and girls in sports.
The release continues, stating, “The tribute represents Kobe and Gianna’s exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship Kobe shared with all four of his daughters.” The unveiling was an intimate gathering of friends and family, where Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared a few words about the statue. Her heartfelt message was included in the press release.
Vanessa Bryant explained, “We merged two iconic courtside moments of Kobe and Gigi. Gianna has her gorgeous smile on her face, and Kobe is kissing the top of her head while wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gigi gifted him for Christmas. He’s also sporting a WNBA hoodie he wore courtside with Gigi.”
Vanessa continued, “Kobe was the first NBA player to wear the orange hoodie at a big game, showing his support for Gigi’s dreams and women in sports. That moment with Gigi will always represent the movement towards equality, always important to our family.”
Vanessa Bryant shared the challenges they faced, stating, “No matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how well Kobe taught her to play, she wouldn’t have the same benefits and opportunities as her father because she’s a girl. This realization started our household’s challenge to change the perception of women’s sports. Gianna would be starting her first year of college this year, and we would be watching her shine on the court.”
Vanessa concluded, “Now her spirit is creating a path for young girls and women in sports. In honor of Kobe and Gigi, I urge you to give young girls your time and support. Tell them they can achieve anything and even exceed that, because they can, they have, and they will.”
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The statue is one of three designed to honor the basketball legend. It includes a plaque reading, “Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports” and “Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports.” The statue also features a memorable Kobe quote: “Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She’s got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.”
In February, the first statue of Kobe Bryant wearing the number 8 Lakers jersey was revealed at a ceremony at the Crypto.com arena. Many basketball legends attended the event.
Before the unveiling, Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to her late husband. She said, “Kobe has had support from people all over the world, and this moment is not just for Kobe but for all those who have been rooting for him. For the record, Kobe picked the pose you’re about to see, so if anyone has any issues with it, tough. It is what it is.”
Vanessa added, “Because fans all over the world and the City of Angels loved Kobe so much, he will have three statues in front of the arena, also known as the house that Kobe built. One wearing the number eight, one with our beautiful daughter, Gianna, and one wearing the number 24.”
In addition to the number 8 on the jersey, the first statue includes several meaningful details, such as the names of their four daughters tattooed on Kobe’s arm. It features replicas of his five championship trophies, inscriptions of his career accolades, a QR code that leads to a tribute video narrated by Denzel Washington about the night Kobe scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, and a triangular base honoring Phil Jackson’s and Tex Winter’s triangle offense.
Kobe Bryant and Gianna tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020, along with seven others, while traveling to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy.
Since then, Vanessa Bryant, who shares daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri with Kobe, has honored her husband and daughter in various meaningful ways.
