Kobe Bryant’s Wife Vanessa Takes Family to See Late Daughter’s “Mentor” in LA

Angel City FC may have lost today but the game was special for Sydney Leroux. She had the support of Kobe Bryant’s family in the season-opener, making up for the absence of Leroux’s late mentor and late mentee. Vanessa Bryant took her youngest daughters to the Angel City FC game to let them see their elder sister, Gianna’s mentor player.

Vanessa shared the updates from BMO Stadium on Instagram with Bianka and Capri. She even posted a “Thank You” on her Instagram Stories for how much Leroux meant to her late daughter, Gianna. Not only did the soccer star find support in Kobe Bryant, she also helped Gigi pursue her passion for athletics.

After an emotional period in her personal life, Angel City FC acquired Leroux in 2022. But her ties to Los Angeles began in UCLA. It was her time on Team USA when she met Kobe Bryant and his family. Kobe was a known soccer fan and his daughters were multi-sports athletes too. Gigi loved watching Leroux’s games with her dad and she wore the no.2 jersey in honor of Leroux too. Vanessa confirmed that herself.

“For those that don’t know- Gigi wore #2 as a soccer player since it’s @sydneyleroux’s number and Gigi kept her number as a baller,” Vanessa wrote on Instagram and also conveyed the tribute Leroux paid to her mentee. “Syd has a #2 tattoo in Gigi’s Jersey font to honor my baby). Love you always @sydneyleroux.”

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Leroux shared many public tributes to Kobe and Gianna Bryant since the fatal 2020 helicopter crash. One of her heartbreaking messages showed how much she misses her “star” Gigi.

Bryant fam keeps Angel City’s spirits up

Leroux and her two children continue to share a close bond with the Bryants. But the game didn’t go as well as Vanessa, Leroux, or Angel City would have hoped. Bay FC pulled an upset in the NWSL debut and hit the ground running for this expansion team’s inaugural season.

That didn’t completely dampen the Bryants’ spirits. Vanessa hyped #2 in her Stories and even showed Bianka and Capri enjoying their time at the BMO Stadium.

Angel City FC can take their cue from the Bryant fam. This is still the season opener and members of the team expressed to the media they’re staying positive in the long run. We might see Vanessa and her girls cheering on Leroux&Co. in more home games this season.

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