Kobe Bryant was not only one of the most popular athletes of his time but also one of the most respected ones. So when it was announced back in 2020 that the Mamba along with his daughter Gianna Bryant passed away due to a horrific helicopter crash, it shocked the world to its very core.
Now, more than two years have passed since that tragic accident, but fans still pay tribute to the father and daughter at every step possible. Recently, fans celebrated to what would have been the 16th birthday of Gianna.
Her mother Vanessa Bryant shared an emotional letter wishing her late daughter a happy birthday. This, of course, made fans emotional and once again remember the previous tributes being paid to Gianna.
One such tribute was made by the WNBA back in 2020, months after the death of Gianna. The WNBA conducted an honorary draft to help Gianna enter the WNBA, which was her dream. Vanessa Bryant was understandably emotional upon seeing it and here’s how she reacted to it.
“It would have been a dream come true for her. She worked tirelessly every single day. She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all-time, just like her daddy. So thank you, thank you for honoring my little girl. This is his sweatshirt. Thank you. I want to congratulate all of this year’s draft picks. So congratulations, work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba Mentality.”
Vanessa Bryant thanks the WNBA for making Gianna an honorary draft pick and sends a message to WNBA draftees pic.twitter.com/PAh4Vrg2KQ
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 17, 2020
We can only say that this gesture from the WNBA was simply amazing. Although it is always sad to know that in reality, we will never witness Gianna play in the WNBA.
She could have become one of the best players in the game and carry forward the legacy of her father, who ruled the game of basketball for 20 seasons.
