Bryant family shares a special bond with Sabrina Ionescu. Back when she was just a rookie at Oregon, it was Kobe Bryant who spotted her potential. Fast forward to today, and the New York Liberty’s star point guard has proven him right by leading her team to a WNBA championship and becoming one of the league’s brightest stars. As Ionescu celebrated her 27th birthday, the Bryant family made sure to honor her with a heartfelt gesture.

Sharing a throwback photo of the two on her Instagram story, Vanessa Bryant paired it with Beyoncé’s hit Party playing in the background, adding that extra touch of celebration. “Happy birthday to my little sis @sabrina_i 🍻!😘❤,” Vanessa captioned, perfectly capturing the love and admiration they share. Sabrina acknowledged the heartfelt gesture by reposting it on her story, thus proving the bond is just as strong from both sides.

Meanwhile, Natalia Bryant also joined in on the festivities. The 21-year-old made sure to show her love for Sabrina, highlighting their own close connection. It’s clear that the Bryant-Ionescu relationship is more than just casual—it’s deeply rooted in the legacy of Kobe and Gianna. But this bond goes back further. And even today, it keeps evolving into something more beautiful.

The deep, loving bond between Sabrina and the Bryant family

Kobe mentored Sabrina. But, it wasn’t just about basketball—it was also about instilling the Mamba Mentality. From courtside chats in 2019 to intense summer workouts, Kobe pushed her to greatness and she, in turn, inspired Gianna to chase her dreams.

After the heartbreaking loss of Kobe and Gigi in 2020, Sabrina Ionescu has carried that legacy every time she stepped on the court, proving Kobe’s faith in her was well-placed. Not just that, she has also stayed incredibly close to the Bryant family. Vanessa has been one of her biggest supporters, cheering her on during key moments, including the WNBA All-Star game and her gold-medal win at the Paris Olympics.

And it’s not just Vanessa who shares this bond with Sabrina. On Vanessa’s 42nd birthday, Sabrina took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message: “Happy birthday V, Love you @vanessabryant.” Along with the message, she posted two touching pictures of them smiling and hugging, radiating warmth and love.

Earlier this year, Sabrina made sure Natalia Bryant felt the same love. She was among the first to wish Natalia a happy birthday on Instagram. Sharing a candid moment of the two laughing and hugging, Sabrina wrote, “I Love You,” tagging the 21-year-old.

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Sabrina’s connection to Kobe also extends to his Nike family, where she’s made her mark with her style and swagger. Like Kobe, she’s a champion now, with her recent WNBA title win. While she has a few more rings to go to catch Kobe’s four, there’s no doubt he and Gigi would’ve been proud, watching her shine on the court.