This week, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, the promising young basketball star and daughter of the legendary Kobe Bryant, would have turned 16. In a heartfelt tribute, her mother, Vanessa, and sister, Natalia, took to Instagram to honor her memory. Natalia, 19, shared a touching photo of the sisters, capturing a moment where she affectionately kisses Gigi’s cheek as Gigi beams at the camera. Accompanying the image, Natalia wrote, “Happy sweet sixteen my dearest Gigi ♥️ I love you to the moon and back 🌙 forever & always.”
Like her father, who had an illustrious 20-year career with the LA Lakers, Gianna was a gifted athlete with dreams of playing in the WNBA. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 13, along with Kobe and seven others, in a helicopter accident on January 26, 2020.
Vanessa, 39, shared a poignant video reminiscent of Kobe’s acclaimed 2017 short, “Dear Basketball.” This one-minute film features artistic pencil sketches of Gigi on the basketball court and was produced in collaboration with Nike to launch the ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’ shoe, the first product from Nike’s partnership with the Bryant estate. Proceeds from sales will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation, which supports young athletes in memory of Kobe and Gianna.
“Dear Gianna,” the video’s narrator begins, “from the first time you imagined winning a WNBA championship, I knew one thing was real: you were special.” The narration continues, highlighting Gigi’s spirit and the impact she made on others, before concluding with, “Love you always, Basketball.”
Vanessa also shared a joyful courtside photo of herself with Gigi, captioning it with, “I love you baby. Happy Birthday Mamacita. ❤️😘❤️, Mommy.”
In a separate matter, Vanessa has filed a lawsuit against the LAPD for allegedly sharing unauthorized photos from the crash site that took her husband and daughter. She expressed the pain of such violations, stating, “No one should ever have to endure this type of pain and fear… The pictures getting released, this is not okay.”
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In summary, Vanessa and Natalia Bryant’s heartfelt tributes to Gigi on her 16th birthday remind us of her vibrant spirit and the legacy she leaves behind. Their posts reflect love, remembrance, and the ongoing impact of Gigi’s life on those around her.