It’s been over three years since the tragic helicopter accident that claimed the lives of NBA icon Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others. Through unimaginable loss, Vanessa Bryant has stood resilient and continued to honor Kobe’s legacy, building an enduring connection with fans worldwide. Whether through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation or releasing limited Kobe Protro sneakers, she has worked tirelessly to preserve and share the Bryant family’s vision. Recently, Vanessa’s influence in keeping Kobe’s spirit alive took on a stylish form that created a buzz on social media.

Retailing at $190, the latest Kobe Protro X-Ray shoe suddenly surfaced in the hands of Vanessa’s close friend and TV staple Khloe Kardashian, after selling out almost instantaneously on Nike’s site. After Khloe Kardashian’s star-studded 40th birthday bash, Vanessa gifted Khloe a special pair of sneakers. The present thrilled Khloe, who posted a picture of the shoes on her Instagram story with the caption ‘These are cool’ while tagging Vanessa.

Vanessa had teased the release of the new Kobe Protro shoe on her Instagram months ago. This shoe is a nod to one of Nike and Kobe’s most iconic t-shirts, specifically the “Broken Not Beaten” one released in 2010 after Bryant won his fifth NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant was well-known for wearing a t-shirt with an ‘X-ray’ image of his hand that showed the injuries he had incurred over his 20 years in the league. Each finger also featured his championship rings. Now speaking of the design of the shoe, it appears to take inspiration from the t-shirt color scheme, arriving in a blue upper and what seems to be a glow-in-the-dark outsole.

This shoe, as mentioned before, could have been the due gift that Vanessa had sent to Khloe. In June, both Vanessa and her daughter Natalia were present at the birthday event at a customized venue which was given the name ‘Khloé Saloon.‘ The night’s entertainment peaked with performances by rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Kurupt. Khloé led the celebration, singing and dancing in front of the “KhloeWood” stage—a playful homage to Dolly Parton’s iconic Dollywood.

For years, Vanessa Bryant and Khloe Kardashian’s friendship has steadily grown, but notably since Kobe passed. So their relationship is more than just something that exists within the Hollywood camaraderie; it’s based on real mutual support and real family values.

“Tomorrow isn’t promised to us. So live as if today is your last day on earth. Love like you’ve never loved before. Dream deeper than you’ve ever imagined you could dream. Experience all that your heart desires. If tomorrow you wake and everything still remains, REPEAT,” Khloe wrote on X following Kobe’s untimely demise.

In Vanessa’s journey of keeping Kobe’s legacy alive, moments like these serve as powerful reminders of the impact he continues to have. As she shares this impact with friends like Khloe Kardashian, the world gets a glimpse of the unwavering spirit that defines the Bryant legacy. Here we saw, Vanessa’s thoughtful present for Khloe but there was a time when Khloe had sent Vanessa a heartfelt gift as a tribute.

When Khloe sent a gift to Vanessa as a tribute to Kobe Bryant

As mentioned before, it has been years since the basketball world lost one of its gems. Since the helicopter accident, there have been numerous celebrities who have paid tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers legend. In 2022, Khloe Kardashian was one of them.

As shared on Instagram by Vanessa Bryant, the gift appeared to be a gingerbread house. However, there were minute details present in the house. The roof of the house included “Kobe” and “Gianna” written on it. The two names also appeared to have a white heart and angel wings placed over them. The other side of the roof had the name Vanessa written on it, along with the names of the former model’s children, Natalia, Capri, and Bianka.

The front of the house also read Merry Christmas and The Bryant Family. “@khloekardashian Thank you for this sweet gingerbread house! Xo,” wrote Vanessa as the caption of the post.

Moreover, this wasn’t the only time that Khole had sent a gingerbread house. Before this, the actress had sent a similar type of gift on Christmas of 2020. In the end, Khloe’s gift to Vanessa demonstrates the compassion she has for the Bryant family and highlights how the memory of Kobe and Gianna continues to inspire and bring people together,