Current:Home > StocksVanessa Bryant Attends Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling With Daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri -StockHorizon
Vanessa Bryant Attends Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling With Daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:43:31
Kobe Bryant's family continues to honor his legacy.
Four years after the Los Angeles Lakers legend, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash, his wife Vanessa Bryant and daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, 7, and Capri, 4, showed their support as a life-sized statue of Kobe was unveiled at the Lakers' Crypto.com arena Feb. 8.
"‘LEAVE THE GAME BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT,'" Vanessa, quoting her late husband, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her and her daughters in front of the statue. "‘AND WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE, LEAVE A LEGEND.' ~ @kobebryant."
The date of the Feb. 8 dedication was meant to specifically honor Kobe and Gianna as their jersey numbers are represented in the 2/8/24 date. Gianna—who had followed her father's footsteps as a passionate basketball player—donned a No. 2 jersey for her Mamba Ballers AAU team. As for Kobe, before retiring from the NBA in 2016, he wore both No. 8 and No. 24. (The Lakers have since retired both numbers.)
At the unveiling, which revealed a statue of Kobe donning his No. 8 jersey and pointing upward, Vanessa also gave a heartfelt speech honoring her late husband and daughter.
"It goes without saying that today is an especially sad day for us since Kobe and Gigi aren't here for what is supposed to be an incredibly joyous moment, and Kobe's legacy," Vanessa said at the Feb. 8 ceremony, per People. "Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning. And this moment isn't just for Kobe, but it's for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years."
She also shared that two more statues of Kobe, one of which will also feature Gianna, were also in the works.
"As I see today's current generation of star players following Kobe's footsteps with huge scoring games," the 41-year-old continued. "I know he would take pride in knowing that he is still pouring inspiration into the game that was so special to him."
Keep reading to look back at the Bryant family's most heartwarming moments.
"Happy Birthday B.B. I Can't believe you are 3 already!" Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. "We love you little mamacita."
"My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB)," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
"Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!" Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
"My Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
"@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble," the caption of the September 2019 post read.
"Happy Mother's Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri's birth. "You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba."
"Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. "Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way."
Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
"Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas," the caption of the 2018 post read.
Kobe and his family members attended a women's basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
Kobe's wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers' NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as "Daddy's little princesses." Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
veryGood! (92233)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Is a Spirit Christmas store opening near you? Spirit Halloween to debut 10 locations
- Drake Bell reflects on the aftermath of 'Quiet on Set' revelations: 'An emotional rollercoaster'
- 'Out of harm's way': Dozens of Florida Waffle Houses close ahead of Hurricane Milton
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Trump will hold a rally at Madison Square Garden in the race’s final stretch
- Costco stores selling out of gold bars, survey finds
- Hoda Kotb Shares Update on 5-Year-Old Daughter Hope One Year After Health Scare
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Piers Morgan apologizes to Jay-Z and Beyoncé after Jaguar Wright interview
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Mississippi’s Medicaid director is leaving for a private-sector job
- Sarah Michelle Gellar Addresses Returning to I Know What You Did Last Summer Reboot
- American Water cyberattack renews focus on protecting critical infrastructure
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Honda recalls nearly 1.7 million vehicles for steering problem that could lead to crashes
- A plane crashes on Catalina Island off Southern California coast
- Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heritage will be showcased at 50th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Early in-person voting begins in Arizona, drawing visits from the presidential campaigns
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is likely out for season after successful knee surgery
Sarah Michelle Gellar Addresses Returning to I Know What You Did Last Summer Reboot
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Voters in the US don’t directly elect the president. Sometimes that can undermine the popular will
DONKOLO: Bitcoin Leading a New Era of Digital Assets
Boeing withdraws contract offer after talks with striking workers break down