Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss shared a deep bond with Kobe Bryant and his family. From knowing Kobe as a 17-year-old rookie to seeing him become a devoted father of four, Buss was right there. After the tragic passing of Kobe and Gianna, Buss penned a heartfelt message, calling them family, always there to support one another. Recently, she’s once again opened up about her connection with the Bryants, sharing some touching insights into Gigi’s WNBA aspirations.

During her recent appearance on the Above the Rim podcast, Buss touched on the dreams she once had for a mixed-gender basketball league—where both men and women would play side by side. “The first people to embrace the WNBA were the NBA players,” Buss shared, emphasizing how much it meant to see them rally behind the women’s game. And interestingly, this dream reminded her of Kobe and Gigi. “They love it; they know the girls can play… and we were talking about Gigi.”

Being so close to the Bryant family, Buss further revealed just how ambitious Gigi was, outlining the incredible vision she had for her career. “She’s going to go and, you know, win four National Championships in college, then she’s going to kill it in the WNBA, and she’s going to be like, what’s the next challenge?” Buss said in the podcast. This vivid image of Gigi’s future in the WNBA inspired Buss to think even bigger, sparking the idea of a league where both male and female athletes could compete together.

After that tragic helicopter crash, Buss shared a deeply personal story about how Kobe and Gianna had once supported her during a tough time. “When you invited me to lunch shortly after my father passed away… Kobe, you brought Gianna with you to spend some time with me,” she recalled. That memory, along with a photo of her with the Bryant family, was a reminder that their connection was more than just basketball—it was about healing, love, and resilience.

Buss reflects on Kobe and Gigi Bryant’s legacy

Just a few months ago, the Lakers added another iconic statue to their collection, honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gigi, outside of Crypto Arena. Once known as the Staples Center, this arena, often called “The House that Kobe Built,” witnessed the unveiling of the Black Mamba and Gigi statue. Jeanie Buss, the Lakers owner, was there for this emotional moment, later sharing her thoughts with Spectrum Sports Net about what this tribute meant.

Calling it a deeply personal experience, Buss emphasized how this moment allowed everyone to reflect on the impact Kobe and Gigi had on the sports world. “And I couldn’t be happier with how the statue has turned out,” she said, pointing to the significance of capturing their bond. The inclusion of Gigi in the statue also highlighted Kobe’s role as a proud “Girl Dad.” Buss remarked on how Kobe’s relationship with Gigi sparked his drive to empower her love for basketball, adding, “And, of course, Gianna being a student of the game really inspired him to continue to feed her… competitiveness.”

Jeanie Buss also mentioned how her father influenced her, noting how he always empowered her to be confident. She hopes this statue will invoke a similar message for visitors, encouraging them to reflect on the lasting impact of the father-daughter duo. “This is a different moment,” Buss concluded, comparing the new statue to those of other Lakers legends like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.