Emotions Run High at NBA All-Star Weekend as Sabrina Ionescu Honors Late Kobe Bryant and Daughter Gigi With a Classy Gesture

Sabrina Ionescu and Stephen Curry clashed in the first-of-its-kind three-pointer game between at All-Star NBA vs WNBA contest. Both Ionescu and Curry have gained a lot of prominence for their three-pointers. While Curry sits atop the league with the most three-pointers (3,642), Ionescu recorded the WNBA’s highest three-pointers during a single season (128). The matchup was definitely between the best of both worlds.

Other than the much-anticipated contest, however, one thing that caught the attention of many was the New York Liberty star wearing a red bracelet. And it was dedicated to her former mentor and his daughter.

Sabrina Ionescu shared a story of the same on her Instagram handle. The post was originally shared by ESPN handle and the WNBA star shared it on her story. She also put a white heart in the caption of the story.

In the post, both Ionescu and Curry can be seen standing next to each other with Ionescu sporting a red bracelet with Kobe Bryant’s daughter Gigi Bryant’s name on it. The bracelet much like the caption also had a white colored heart.

As per Sporting News, Kobe and Gigi first met Ionescu during an Oregon game in January 2019. The two instantly connected because of their love for the sport and Kobe congratulated Ionescu for winning the game. Ionescu then got a chance to work with Bryant’s daughter Gigi and supported the Lakers star in coaching the ‘Mamba Ballers.’

With time, Ionescu and Kobe became rather comfortable around each other and would talk over the phone. Kobe would also give tips to Ionescu to better her game. Ionescu, on the other hand, would also coach Gigi, and the three therefore shared a great rapport among themselves.

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When Kobe and Gigi passed away in the helicopter crash, Ionescu was taken aback and also posted about it after several days. She penned a long note to honor the memories she had of both Kobe and Gigi and also considered herself blessed to have been around them. It looks like the 26-year-old imbibed a lesson or two from Kobe.

The face-off between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu

Ionescu gave Curry tough competition in the three-pointer shootout as she basketed 26 whereas Curry edged past by a narrow margin by throttling 29. Ionescu gave a live example to the world that the WNBA players are as competitive and skilled as their counterparts, further acknowledging the fact that this would “change the narrative.”

While Kobe and Gigi are no more, it is stars like Sabrina Ionescu who are keeping their memories alive. Much like how the Bryants had an impact on women’s basketball, Ionescu too would likely shapeshift the narratives with time.

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