“He Treated Us as Equals”: WNBA Players Talk About the Impact of Kobe Bryant in a Touching Video

While there might be a lot that Kobe Bryant must have offered to the sport of basketball, but his legacy defines a plethora of his inspirations. It’s not just about winning championships, he has won hearts and set an example for millions. Well, Gigi Bryant, Kobe’s daughter is probably the reason he was changing the world around WNBA. His contribution to the women’s game, the inspiration, is so fulfilling that many remember it till date. Vanessa Bryant recently re-posted a heart-melting video on Instagram of WNBA giving a tribute to Kobe Bryant and Gigi.

Kobe Bryant and his ‘Lasting Impact’

“He was the one who was providing legitimacy to our game.” These are really big words to say for someone. Chiney Ogwumike, former LA Sparks player feels this way for the legend that Kobe is. Mamba Sports Academy had a lot to offer to young girls. Large numbers had the opportunity to have Kobe as their coach. What he offered was pure encouragement.

Cathy Engelbert also spoke in the video about the respect Kobe granted to her as a WNBA Commissioner. “Why would he say to Adam Silver, I don’t wanna talk about the NBA, I wanna talk about the WNBA and I want to meet the new commissioner.” It had just been 6 weeks for Cathy into the job. This is really the ‘impact’ Kobe left behind him and moreover what he wanted to do beyond his game and profession.

Kobe used to come and watch WNBA matches with his daughters and just his presence made a huge impact is what Sabrina Ionescu feels. It’s really moving how Kobe wanted to progress after his retirement. He started focusing on coaching and Gigi and everything that could create an impact on others’ lives.

“She has that drive.” – Gigi Bryant really had that in her

UCONN Women’s basketball Head coach, Geno Auriemma really had a lot to say about Gigi in the video as a tribute to Kobe. He has watched Gigi play multiple times and he says, “She has that drive. She has that passion.” Gigi definitely had something like Kobe in her. Many would like to call it her genes, but it was the spirit that made others associate her as Kobe’s daughter.

Geno shared a very touching incident with Gigi, wherein Geno’s team lost to hers. Gigi wrote a letter to him after the defeat from her and her team’s side. The letter read, “I’m so sorry you lost. But it gives you extra time to practice and get better before the next one. Just think, ‘When you think you can’t, UCONN’.”

At times it’s not about what many want to do, it’s more about what many have done. Kobe did it for many and he wanted to do more. One line through which Geno really defined what Kobe meant to the WNBA was, “They don’t remember as much Kobe, the guy fist-pumping because he just won an NBA championship. They remember him sitting on the bench trying to get them to be better.”

Whatever Kobe did for the WNBA will now be remembered the most. Chiney Ogwumike said a blatantly emotional statement, “That’s the beauty in the tragedy.” 

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