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3 Years After Tragedy Struck the Bryant Family, Young Baller Catches Wife Vanessa’s Eye Honoring Kobe Bryant and Daughter’s Legacy

Published 06/08/2023, 8:10 AM EDT

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Vanessa Bryant has shown incredible courage and perseverance. While grieving the loss of her husband Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna, she has inspired many by celebrating and preserving Kobe and Gianna’s legacy. She has also fought for causes they stood for and which she herself holds dear. To carry on Kobe and Gianna’s dedication to kids’ sports and to promote opportunities for neglected communities, she worked to form the Mamba Sports Foundation, which was later reformed into the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

Recently, a young basketball player caught Vanessa’s attention while paying tribute to Kobe and their daughter’s legacy.

Vanessa Bryant takes note of a young baller

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On January 26, 2020, a terrible tragedy claimed the lives of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, shocking the entire world. They died in a helicopter crash, ending Kobe’s career that spanned two decades with the Los Angeles Lakers and which made him a basketball icon. Gianna, fondly known as ‘Gigi’ was herself a rising basketball player. She aspired to follow in her father’s basketball career.

The passing of Kobe, Gianna and seven other passengers of the helicopter left a large and enduring gap in many people’s lives as well as impacting the sports world. Even though Kobe Bryant and Gigi Bryant no longer remain by her side, Vanessa Bryant does her best to keep them alive. Recently, she took to Instagram after a young baller paying tribute to Gigi Bryant caught her eye.

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She shared a story on her Instagram featuring a young girl wearing Gianna’s jersey. The girl is seen posing in front of a mural honoring Gianna Bryant and her legacy.

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Tehrell Porter, the designer of the mural, had shared a post of the painting on their story. Vanessa Bryant then reshared this story on her account with a sticker showing two red hearts. She acknowledged the mural and the young player who posed with this gesture.

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Before her untimely death in January 2020, Gianna Bryant showed a lot of promise as a basketball player. Though she was young and still learning, Gianna’s natural talent was obvious as she practiced and played. She competed in several youth basketball leagues and competitions as a member of the Mamba Sports Academy. Gianna showed promise and must have surely grown up to become an exceptional basketball player with the guidance and support of her illustrious father.

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Watch This Story:  Kobe Bryant Residential Orange County Pays Unique Tribute to Late Lakers Legend

It has been three years since the tragedy now; however, thanks to Vanessa Bryant and others, they still live on in our hearts.

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Written by:

Ranjitha Ramesh

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Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars.
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Edited by:

Aayush Kapoor