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2 Days After UConn Joins $153.49 Billion Worth Kobe Bryant Collab, Wife Vanessa Honors Loved Ones Through 4YO Memory

Published 09/09/2023, 7:55 AM EDT

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It’s been over three years since NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash. The legacy that the Black Mamba left behind on the sport of basketball, however, continues to make a mark amongst his fans and loved ones. In order to add another chapter to that legacy, a multi-billion dollar apparel company is renewing its relationship with Kobe.

They are also reaching out to various renowned universities to assist in this effort. One of them recently took to social media to highlight this collaboration, which brought up the deep emotions of Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant.

Vanessa remembers Kobe Bryant and Gianna

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The official Instagram handle of ‘UConn Women’s Basketball’ recently uploaded a post for it’s 251000 followers. It highlighted a picture of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna closely observing an ongoing game. Tagging the Instagram handles of both ‘mambamambacitasports’ and ‘nikebasketball’ as well, the post carried a caption.

It read, “It’s an honor to represent the legacies of Kobe and Gigi Bryant on the court this season with the Mamba Program.

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The picture was taken back in March 2019. Kobe and Gianna had come to attend a basketball game featuring the UConn Women’s team.

The post caught the attention of Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant. She uploaded the post to her Instagram story for her 15.4 million followers. Along with the post, she wrote her own words that read “My Babies” and “I love you so much…!”

Both Kobe and Gianna were taken from the 41-year-old’s life on the same day and through the same tragic incident. Seeing them together in one frame definitely invoked some feelings for the widow.

It must simultaneously be heartwarming to see such extensive efforts being made in remembrance of her family.

Nike rejuvenates Black Mamba’s legacy

The tribute post was shared by the University of Connecticut basketball team only hours after it was announced that their college, along with five others, will get to honor the legacy of the Los Angeles Lakers legend.

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In order to celebrate 20 years since it began a partnership with Kobe Bryant, Nike had announced the release of the new set of shoes that was formed in collaboration with Vanessa.

Colleges like UConn get to support the initiative by donning the Nike’s on-court. Vanessa had announced this promotional effort with the respective universities via an Instagram post, expressing her gratefulness on furthering “the legacies of Kobe and Gigi!”

The Queen Mamba is involving her ‘Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation’ to promote these latest set of shoes.  All sale proceeds from the sneakers will be donated by Nike to the same foundation.

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What are your thoughts on the Mamba Foundation collaborating with UConn? Let us know in the comments down below.

WATCH THIS STORY: “He Passed That Sunday”: Shaquille O’Neal’s 66YO Buddy Reminisces the “Surreal” Moment When the World Lost NBA Legend Kobe Bryant

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Written by:

Ashmit Kumar

767Articles

One take at a time

Ashmit is an NBA author at EssentiallySports. With a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, he carries a deep passion for writing and researching about basketball events around the world. Ashmit specializes in bringing captivating stories that provide in-depth coverage of teams, players, and significant events associated with the world of professional basketball.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair