A press release from the Los Angeles Lakers shared that the newly unveiled statue celebrates Kobe Bryant’s deep love for his daughters, emphasizing his pride as a “Girl Dad” and the Bryant family’s commitment to supporting women and girls in sports.
The statue also honors Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in basketball and highlights the special bond Kobe had with all four of his daughters. Vanessa Bryant, during the unveiling, spoke about the statue’s significance, explaining that it combines two memorable moments with Kobe and Gianna. She described how Kobe is seen kissing Gianna’s head while wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie she gave him and a WNBA hoodie to support her dreams. Vanessa pointed out that Kobe was the first NBA player to wear this hoodie, marking his support for Gianna’s aspirations and for women’s sports.
Vanessa continued by reflecting on the challenges Gianna faced, noting that despite her immense talent, she wouldn’t have had the same opportunities as her father due to being a girl. This sparked the family’s efforts to challenge perceptions of women’s sports. Vanessa expressed her belief that Gianna’s spirit now paves the way for young girls and women in sports. She urged others to support young girls, telling them they can achieve anything.
The statue is part of a series of three honoring Kobe Bryant and includes a plaque commemorating both Gianna and Kobe as champions of women in sports. It also features a quote from Kobe, where he proudly called himself a “girl dad” and spoke about his admiration for his daughters.
Earlier this year, another statue of Kobe wearing his number 8 Lakers jersey was revealed, with Vanessa sharing her heartfelt tribute to her late husband. She also revealed that Kobe had chosen the pose for the statue, with humor and pride. The statues honor Kobe’s legacy and his immense global fanbase, with plans for a third statue of him in his number 24 jersey.
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