The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue featuring Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant during a private marquee event Friday outside Crypto.com Arena.
This photo is the second of three planned for the NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend. Kobe and Gigi died in a helicopter crash along with seven others in January 2020.
8.2.24 – Kobe and Gigi are not dead 🦋 pic.twitter.com/WxPDMfEaRq
– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 2, 2024
The Bryant family. Forever a beacon of love, strength and hope 💜 pic.twitter.com/GU71bNzUK9
– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 2, 2024
The first statue, a 19-foot bronze memorial to Bryant's 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors, was unveiled on Feb. 8. The date Friday (8/2/24) was chosen for the event (2/8/24) because it represents both of Bryant's uniform numbers (8 and 24). It also symbolizes the number 2 that 13-year-old Gigi wore on the basketball court.
A photo of the father and daughter can be found near the Kings monument in Los Angeles on the team's 50th anniversary. Yes, it will be available for the public to visit starting Saturday morning.
Bryant's widow, Vanessa, released a statement after the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe and Gigi Bryant.
Bryant's widow, Vanessa, explained the meaning of the statue as part of a statement released by the Lakers.
“We put together two court dates for Kobe and Gigi,” he said. “Gianna has a beautiful smile on her face and Kobe kisses the top of her head while wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jacket that Gigi gave her for Christmas.
“He also wore the WNBA hoodie he wore on the court with Gigi. Kobe became the first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie in a big game and that was to show his support for Gigi's dreams and for women in all sports.
The perfect Daddy Girl 💜 pic.twitter.com/DPfxlIYlCl
– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 3, 2024
“That was the moment he shared with Gigi that will always be a strong representation of the movement towards equality that has always been very important to our family.”
A plaque on the front of the statue reads “Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports” and “Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports.”
Below the plaque are words from Kobe Bryant: “Gianna is a monster. He is better than me for his age. You got it. The girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I am a girl, father.”
Vanessa Bryant revealed at an event in February that the third statue will feature her late husband wearing his No. 24 Lakers uniform. The third statue is expected to be unveiled in the 2024-25 season.
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