Even though it’s been five decades, the loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter feels like yesterday. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was a basketball prodigy and was just 13 when she passed away, unfortunately, alongside her dad and 7 seven others. Today could have been her 19th birthday, and Gigi’s mother, Vanessa Bryant, shared a tear-jerking post. Friends of the family, including Pau Gasol, shared their love and support to honor the memory.
The loss of her husband and her daughter did not stop Vanessa from uplifting the next generation. In fact, she dedicated herself to preserving Kobe and Gianna’s legacy by renaming Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. So, when it was time to remember her daughter’s 19th birthday, Vanessa shared the photo of her daughter in her Mamba Academy uniform. The caption summed up the emotional toll.
“Happy birthday, Gigi! Mommy loves and misses you more than I could ever express. I love you Gianna. 19 5/1 #Mambacita.” Brief yet overflowing with emotion, it was a mother’s love letter to a daughter whose light was taken too soon. The businesswoman and philanthropist, along with Nike, continue to support the underserved youth and advocate for equal opportunity for girls in sports. Even this year, the Swoosh brand made sure to make the birthday more memorable.
On what would have been her 19th birthday, the brand launched the Gigi Bryant “Mambacita” Apparel Collection featuring two new jerseys for $120 each. The black and white inverse jerseys are a nod to Gigi’s youth basketball team, which retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant helped coach. Apart from the usual, a ‘Mambacita’ heart and wings let you carry Gigi’s passion for sport into the future. The tribute for the 19-year-old also included a message from Pau Gasol.
The former Lakers champion has taken a key role in the Bryant family after the passing of his teammate/brother Kobe. From ballet lessons to horse riding, the Spaniard is ever present to support his sister, Vanessa Bryant. This time to he added on Instagram, “Happy birthday sweet Gigi .”
He was not alone, and not only the basketball fraternity, but even celebrity friends of Vanessa chimed in with support. After all, it’s been a difficult week for the family.
Vanessa Bryant got the support of her friends like a rock
The widow of Kobe Bryant and his oldest daughter hit up Beyoncé’s Los Angeles show on Monday with the singer’s mom. At SoFi Stadium on Monday night, Vanessa Bryant was in her cowboy hat while sitting with the singer’s mom for the show. So, it was no surprise that Tina Knowles would drop a message for her friend’s daughter. “Sweet Angel GiGi we love you.” The birthday this year hits harder as one of the city’s most iconic tributes, the beloved mural of father and daughter, was defaced with black paint.
The restoration work is already in progress thanks to Luka Doncic and his contribution of $5000. It’s not only the Lakers star who is helping the family, but Chris Paul too has helped in training Kobe’s daughter Bianka. Apart from this, he was the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award for his work advancing girls’ and women’s basketball. He added on the post, “Happy Birthday Day Gigi!! .”
Vanessa Bryant is super close to the Kardashian family. She attended Khloe’s 40th, and she’s even gifted Kim and Kris the coveted Nike Kobe “Grinch” shoes for the holidays. Khloe added in the comments, sharing the love for Gigi. “ I love you V! Happy birthday GiGi!! .” Another close friend of the family is Kyle Kuzma’s fiancée, Winnie Harlow, who also dropped a sweet message in the comments. “Happy birthday sweet girl .”
With the issue of the mural behind her, the widow of Kobe is channeling her energy to honor her daughter. Apart from the jerseys, Nike has also launched a pair of Kobe IX Low Protro EM Mambacita shoes to honor the 19-year-old. Profits of which go to benefit the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
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