The City of Los Angeles always makes the Mamba Day special. Recently, the MLB franchise Dodgers have honored Kobe Bryant‘s memory for two years in a row. Last year, it was Natalia, and this year, Bianka stepped up for the ceremonial first pitch before the game against Tampa Bay. Even in the city of Miami, there was an event that celebrated the Los Angeles Lakers superstar with a unique memorabilia.

The moment happened during the 2013 Youth Foundation Charity Event, where an artist mesmerized Kobe Bryant. The master artist Alberto Villa painted a live portrait of the 5x NBA Champion. The painting MAMBA ON, upon completion, was securely stored away for a decade.

Tony DiMaggio of the DiMaggio Exquisite Jewelry and Fine Art spoke about the interaction between Kobe and the artist. DiMaggio said, via CBS Miami, “Kobe, when he saw it, was so moved by what artist Villa did that he got out of his seat, walked on stage, and said to him kind of kiddingly, ‘So you did this?‘” Kobe Bryant ended up praising the artist as he said, “Well, I love it!” The 2x Finals MVP loved it so much that he even signed the painting.

The event was held on Saturday from 6:30-11 pm at Gallery Art in Aventura. The spectacular 8000 sq. ft. showroom did the unveiling of the painting at 8:24, a number with which Kobe Bryant fans have a deep connection. A nod to the two jersey numbers that Kobe donned during his iconic career. To top it off, the day follows his birthday and this year, Kobe would’ve turned 46.

Look at how the legacy of Kobe Bryant is celebrated

Kobe Bryant Day is observed and celebrated in Orange County, the area of Southern California he called home. The festivities extend to the City of Los Angeles, where he became a household name. Ever since the unfortunate incident, many people ensured that his legacy continued and more than 600 murals were painted.

The home of the Lakers also unveiled a second statue of Kobe Bryant alongside Gigi on August 2, 2024. The first statue was a 19-foot bronze memorial outside the Crypto.com Arena was unveiled on February 8, 2024. The second one was revealed in a private ceremony first and then the public was allowed to visit from the next day.

In order to honor the Kobe Bryant legacy, Nike organized a Mamba League Invitational. Vanessa Bryant was also present for the 2nd annual Mamba League Invitational, a 2-day basketball tournament. She even surprised the winners with the special edition of Kobe Bryant sneakers. Mamba Day is special for the fans, and the decade-old surprise portrait is a fine example.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.