Basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, popularly known as Gigi, 13, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with seven other people, in January 2020. Due to poor visibility, the chopper crashed into a mountainside while it was carrying them to Gigi’s basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy. When Kobe and Gigi unexpectedly passed away, it stunned the entire globe, forcing both fans and athletes to grieve their loss and consider their influence on basketball and beyond. And their memories are still being remembered by their loved ones.
Vanessa Bryant, the wife of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has paid tribute to her daughter Gianna on what would have been her 17th birthday. A lot of celebrities, including Khloe Kardashian, paid Gigi a tribute in their own way.
Vanessa Bryant honors her daughter Gigi’s birthday with an emotional Instagram tribute
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Vanessa took to Instagram to share a series of posts in honor of her daughter’s birthday. She shared photos of Gigi with her siblings and her mother, as well as a video in celebration of Gigi’s legacy. The posts prompted responses from Vanessa’s followers, including reality TV star Khloé Kardashian and Ja Morant’s sister Niya Morant, who reposted the tribute on her Instagram story. Niya Morant is also a basketball player, a 5 feet 7 inches point guard currently playing for Houston High School in Germantown.
Vanessa’s tribute to her daughter comes just over 3 years after the tragic accident that claimed her life. One of the best basketball players in NBA history, Kobe Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and won five championships. Additionally, he was chosen for 18 NBA All-Star Games and took home four All-Star MVP honors. In 2008, he won the league MVP award.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Read more: “I Do Have Talent Other Than Dribbling and Shooting”: What the Oscars Meant for Kobe Bryant
Vanessa keeps Kobe Bryant’s dream alive by continuing his philanthropic work
The accident shocked basketball fans and athletes from around the world, who came together to honor Kobe, Gigi, and the other victims. Vanessa has been vocal in her grief over the past three years since the tragedy, using social media to share her memories and pay tribute to her loved ones. She has also been involved in philanthropic work, continuing the legacy of her husband and daughter through the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story: “When Kobe Bryant wore special news for Shaquille O’Neal and dropped 56 points”
As Vanessa and her family continue to mourn the loss of Gigi and Kobe, they have been surrounded by love and support from fans and fellow athletes. The legacy of Kobe and Gigi lives on through their impact on the world of basketball and beyond, inspiring countless people to strive for greatness and make a difference in the world.