Kobe Bryant’s Wife Vanessa Swells With Pride as His Protege’s Alma Mater Helps Her Noble Initiative “Empower Local Youth”

The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation is continuing Kobe Bryant‘s legacy by inspiring and supporting individuals and communities. Notably, a mentee of the Black Mamba‘s once donned the green and yellow. Now, Vanessa Bryant proudly announced the foundation’s next collaboration with the same college.

The partnership saw the Oregon Ducks host a skills clinic on October 8. Vanessa recently shared some rare snaps and snippets from the basketball camp.

Kobe Bryant’s legacy extends to Oregon University

As part of the partnership, the basketball camp was held at Matthew Knight Arena. Young boys and girls from the community participated in basketball drills under the guidance of Oregon student-athletes and coaches. They received hands-on coaching from the university’s sports personnel during the event. Vanessa proudly shared the heartwarming pictures from the event.

It is one of the top universities to have joined hands with the MMSF. The partnership will also see the Ducks wear Gigi Bryant Nike shoes throughout the 2023-24 season.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend’s friend and mentee Sabrina Ionescu is an Oregon University alumni. Over the last few seasons, Vanessa and her daughters have routinely been spotted courtside at Ionescu’s games. She plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA but was a Ducks college player when she first met Kobe Bryant. Years later, Vanessa continues the Bryants’ relationship with the college.

‘Lady Mamba’ shared the post on her Instagram account and wrote, “Eugene, OR — Together with @OregonWBB and @Oregon MBB, we brought our MMSF Skills Academy basketball camp to the University of Oregon!” She added, “The @oregonducks helped us to empower local youth to live an inspired life through Kobe and Gianna’s legacy.”

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It was back in 2019 when Sabrina met the Black Mamba after her team beat the USC Trojans 95-53.

Sabrina Ionescu spoke at Kobe and Gigi’s memorial

Celebration of Life was the touching memorial ceremony honoring the late NBA legend Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Alongside Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, Sabrina Ionescu also gave a touching tribute to the legend. 

The WNBA player was in contact with Bryant throughout the 2019-2020 season as she approached a near-triple-double average, ultimately securing both the Naismith Player of the Year and AP Player of the Year awards, all while leading the Pac-12-winning Ducks.

Ionescu also coached Bryant’s AAU team, the Mamba Ballers. A few months after her mentor’s tragic helicopter crash, she was selected 1st overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Her, Vanessa Bryant, and many more, continue to carry the Mamba legacy forward.

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