Current:Home > InvestVanessa Bryant Attends Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling With Daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri -Streamline Finance
Vanessa Bryant Attends Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling With Daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri
View
Date:2025-04-17 04:41:48
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! (9)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- SNAP benefits, age requirements rise in last echo of debt ceiling fight. What it means.
- Jury mulling fate of 3 former Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ fatal beating
- 'Golden Bachelorette' recap: Kickball kaboom as Gerry Turner, Wayne Newton surprise
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- The Latest: Harris campaigns in Wisconsin and Trump in Michigan in battle for ‘blue wall’ states
- Raiders' Antonio Pierce dodges Davante Adams trade questions amid rumors
- Rachel Zegler Says Snow White's Name Is Not Based on Skin Color in New Disney Movie
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- Record October heat expected to last across the Southwest: 'It's not really moving'
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Indiana man sentenced for neglect after rat attack on his infant son
- Hurricane Kirk could cause dangerous surf conditions along the US East Coast
- Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demons
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Love Is Blind's Hannah Reveals Her True Thoughts on Leo's Shouting Match
- Human connections bring hope in North Carolina after devastation of Helene
- Travis Kelce’s Role in Horror Series Grotesquerie Revealed
Recommendation
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
‘Pure Greed’: A Legal System That Gives Corporations Special Rights Has Come for Honduras
Why Olivia Munn's New Photo of Her and John Mulaney's Baby Girl Marks a Milestone in Her Health Journey
Judge blocks new California law cracking down on election deepfakes
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
Biden arrives in SC amid states' grueling recovery from Helene: Live updates
Prosecutors’ closing argument prompts mistrial request from lawyers for cop accused of manslaughter
Helene death toll hits 200 one week after landfall; 1M without power: Live updates