On January 26th, 2020, Fans were devastated to learn NBA legend and former Lakers star Kobe Bryant died at age 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Kobe was reportedly enroute to Mamba Sports Academy for his 13-year-old daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant's basketball game. Tragically, she died alongside her father in the crash that also took the lives of seven other people, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed to reporters at a news conference. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement,
"[Kobe] will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna."
Other victims of the crash include Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli; his wife, Keri; and their daughter, Alyssa, who was Gigi's teammate. Also reportedly on board was another young basketball player, Payton Chester, along with her mother, Sarah.
Kobe, who retired from professional basketball in 2016, leaves behind his wife, Vanessa Bryant, and three other daughters: Natalia Bryant, 17, Bianka Bryant, 3, and Capri Bryant, 7 months. Here's everything we know about the athlete's beloved daughters as we sort out this tragic event.
Kobe Bryant had retired from professional basketball, but his love for the game was shared by his daughter, Giana "Gigi" Bryant. According to CNN, he coached Gigi's basketball team, and there are lots of videos online of the aspiring athlete effortlessly scoring dunks over her opponents.
Kobe's second-eldest was interested in playing basketball at the collegiate level, with Bryant revealing in a conversation with fellow basketball legend Reggie Miller that she was, quote, "hellbent" on attending the University of Connecticut. Which is no surprise: the UConn Huskies have won the NCAA National Championship 11 times in the past 25 years. Like her father, Gigi was determined to be a winner.
Tragically, fans will never get to see what Gigi would have accomplished on and off the court, but it's clear her famous dad believed women should have the opportunity to play alongside men. Just a week before he passed, Bryant told CNN,
"I think there are a couple players that could play in the NBA right now, honestly. I mean, there's a lot of players that have a lot of skill that could do it. Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne."
Watch the video to see Everything We Know About Kobe Bryant's Four Daughters.
#RIPKobe #RIPKobeBryant #KobeBryant
Gianna Bryant | 1:22
Natalia Bryant | 2:29
Bianka & Capri Bryant | 3:10
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