The Lakers unveiled the second of three statues to honor the late basketball legend.
Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, gave a powerful speech during a statue unveiling in a private ceremony outside Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
The bronze statue is titled “Girl Dad” and it honors Kobe and his daughter Gianna’s special bond. Kobe, wearing an orange WNBA hoodie and a Philadelphia Eagles beanie, is depicted with his arm around Gianna with large angel wings in the background enclosing the pair. Prior to Kobe’s and Gianna’s death in a helicopter crash in January 2020, the two attended a Lakers home game against the Dallas Mavericks in which they were photographed sitting courtside in a similar embrace.
“Kobe was the first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie to a big game and that was to show his support for Gigi’s dreams and for women across all sports,” Vanessa said in a touching tribute. “That was a moment he shared with Gigi that will always be a powerful representation of the movement towards equality that was always so important to our family.”“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.
Vanessa continued, “If young girls can see professional women play, they know they have the potential to be them. They know those ambitions aren't just dreams but will become a reality. Let's build up the next generation of athletes. It's what Gigi and Kobe would want us to do.”that will pay tribute to Kobe Bryant and his illustrious NBA career. It is located outside the arena’s 11th Street entrance and will be available for public viewing starting Aug. 3, according to the Lakers.
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