Lakers honor Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna with statue that immortalizes sweet moment from their life

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled a new statue honoring the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, affectionately known as Gigi, showcasing the close bond they shared and Kobe's pride in being a "Girl Dad."

The statue captures a poignant moment from December 29, 2019, when Kobe and Gianna sat courtside at a Lakers game against the Dallas Mavericks. Kobe was seen wearing an Eagles ski cap gifted by Gianna for Christmas, alongside an orange WNBA sweatshirt, as per LA Times.

The father-daughter duo were deeply engrossed in the game, a scene immortalized in photos that day.

Los Angeles Lakers unveil statue honoring the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna

Tragically, Kobe and Gianna were among nine victims who perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on January 26, 2020. This loss left a profound impact on the world, and the Lakers' new statue serves as a heartfelt tribute to their memory.

Positioned near the 11th Street entrance of the Crypto.com Arena, this is the second of three planned statues commemorating Kobe's legacy. The sculpture depicts Kobe with his arm around Gianna, gently kissing her on the head, both clad in the same attire they wore at the 2019 game.

Behind them, angel wings symbolize their heavenly presence, while they stand amidst a bed of purple and yellow flowers. The design, reminiscent of an Italianate garden, nods to Kobe's childhood in Italy.

A plaque accompanying the statue features one of Kobe's quotes: "Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She’s got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad."

The plaque also includes the Mambacita logo, alongside descriptions reading: "Gianna Bryant, inspirational icon for girls in sports" and "Kobe Bryant, proud supporter of women in sports."

During a private ceremony, Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow, shared heartfelt words about their commitment to supporting women's sports.

"We were faced with the harsh reality that no matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how great her daddy taught her how to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities that her dad and young men currently have because she’s a girl," Vanessa said.

"That’s when the challenge to change the perception of women’s sports started in our household," she added.

Gianna, who would have been entering her freshman year of college, had her budding basketball career cut short. Vanessa hopes that fans will carry forward the legacies of both Kobe and Gianna by supporting young girls in sports.

"I ask you this: give young girls your time. Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can exceed that, because they can, they have and they will. Iron sharpens iron. Reassure that confidence and see how much they thrive," she urged.

Kobe and Gianna Bryant's statue receives admiration across social media

Fans were quick to express their admiration for the statue of Kobe and Gianna on social media.

One X user commented, "Such an amazing statue they'll never be forgotten amen."

Another user praised Vanessa's decision to capture authentic moments, saying, "Really love the fact that Vanessa Bryant decided to capture real moments/poses/items for these statues instead of doing something that feels manufactured. Can't wait to see this in person."

The outpouring of affection continued with comments like "Best Statue hands down" and "Now all that’s left to do is Bring Back the Black Mamba Jersey and everything will be Perfect!"

Another user summed up the sentiment with, "What a beautiful tribute to them both," while others echoed the admiration with, "That's perfect tbh. Amazing work," and "Finally a solid statue lol."

The emotional connection was palpable as one user noted, "An amazing statue as well as an amazing pic."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.