Current:Home > reviewsVanessa Bryant Attends Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling With Daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri -WealthSync Hub
Vanessa Bryant Attends Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling With Daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri
SafeX Pro View
Date:2025-04-10 16:17:27
Kobe Bryant's family continues to honor his legacy.
Four years after the Los Angeles Lakers legend, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash, his wife Vanessa Bryant and daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, 7, and Capri, 4, showed their support as a life-sized statue of Kobe was unveiled at the Lakers' Crypto.com arena Feb. 8.
"‘LEAVE THE GAME BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT,'" Vanessa, quoting her late husband, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her and her daughters in front of the statue. "‘AND WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE, LEAVE A LEGEND.' ~ @kobebryant."
The date of the Feb. 8 dedication was meant to specifically honor Kobe and Gianna as their jersey numbers are represented in the 2/8/24 date. Gianna—who had followed her father's footsteps as a passionate basketball player—donned a No. 2 jersey for her Mamba Ballers AAU team. As for Kobe, before retiring from the NBA in 2016, he wore both No. 8 and No. 24. (The Lakers have since retired both numbers.)
At the unveiling, which revealed a statue of Kobe donning his No. 8 jersey and pointing upward, Vanessa also gave a heartfelt speech honoring her late husband and daughter.
"It goes without saying that today is an especially sad day for us since Kobe and Gigi aren't here for what is supposed to be an incredibly joyous moment, and Kobe's legacy," Vanessa said at the Feb. 8 ceremony, per People. "Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning. And this moment isn't just for Kobe, but it's for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years."
She also shared that two more statues of Kobe, one of which will also feature Gianna, were also in the works.
"As I see today's current generation of star players following Kobe's footsteps with huge scoring games," the 41-year-old continued. "I know he would take pride in knowing that he is still pouring inspiration into the game that was so special to him."
Keep reading to look back at the Bryant family's most heartwarming moments.
"Happy Birthday B.B. I Can't believe you are 3 already!" Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. "We love you little mamacita."
"My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB)," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
"Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!" Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
"My Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
"@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble," the caption of the September 2019 post read.
"Happy Mother's Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri's birth. "You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba."
"Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. "Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way."
Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
"Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas," the caption of the 2018 post read.
Kobe and his family members attended a women's basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
Kobe's wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers' NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as "Daddy's little princesses." Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
veryGood! (1275)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to roam free in Germany in public dispute over trophy hunting
- 'New Mr. WrestleMania' Seth Rollins readies to face 'the very best version' of The Rock
- Bills to trade star WR Stefon Diggs to Texans in seismic offseason shakeup
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- California woman's fatal poisoning from hemorrhoid cream highlights lead risks
- Border Patrol must care for migrant children who wait in camps for processing, a judge says
- Police shoot Indiana man they say fired at officers
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Audit finds flaws -- and undelivered mail -- at Postal Service’s new processing facility in Virginia
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- A tractor-trailer hit a train and derailed cars. The driver was injured and his dog died
- Beyoncé sends flowers to White Stripes' Jack White for inspiring her on 'Cowboy Carter'
- As war in Gaza tests interfaith bonds in the US, some find ways to mend relationships
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Why Heather Rae El Moussa Says Filming Selling Sunset Was “Very Toxic”
- South Carolina governor undergoes knee surgery for 2022 tennis injury
- Bronny James' future at Southern Cal uncertain after departure of head coach Andy Enfield
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Playboy Alum Holly Madison Accuses Crystal Hefner of Copying Her Book
Michigan prosecutors seek 10 to 15 years in prison for James and Jennifer Crumbley
California woman's fatal poisoning from hemorrhoid cream highlights lead risks
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
In new movie 'Monkey Man,' Dev Patel got physical. He has the broken bones to prove it.
Caitlin Clark wins second straight national player of the year award
NHTSA is over 5 months late in meeting deadline to strengthen car seats