The Lakers’ latest Kobe Bryant statue honors his close bond with his daughter and his passion for being a “girl dad.”
The new statue recreates a moment from December 29, 2019, when a father and daughter sat courtside to watch a Lakers home game against the Dallas Mavericks. Kobe was wearing an Eagles ski cap that Gianna gave him for Christmas and an orange WNBA sweatshirt. The pair were captured in photos discussing the unfolding action on the court.
Kobe and Gianna Bryant were among those nine people who died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020 in Calabasas.
The second of three statues honoring Kobe Bryant stands near the entrance to Crypto.com Arena on 11th Street and salutes his enthusiastic transition after retirement to coach his daughter’s youth basketball team.
The new statue shows Kobe, with his arm around Gianna, kissing his daughter on the head while wearing the same clothes they wore during the 2019 Lakers game. Angel wings stand behind them and are surrounded by a bed of purple and white flowers. yellow trees and symmetrical benches reflecting an Italian garden, a tribute to Kobe’s childhood in Italy.
There is a sign that bears the quote: “Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She did it. The girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl, dad.” It is attributed to “Kobe Bryant, the most valuable father.” The top of the sign features the Mambacita logo and a description of the duo that reads: “Gianna Bryant, inspirational icon for girls in sports” and “Kobe Bryant, proud advocate for women in sports.”
During a private ceremony, Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, shared why her family emphasized 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 father had taught her to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities. what her father and young people currently have because she is a girl,” Vanessa said, according to a Lakers press release. “That’s when the challenge of changing the perception of women’s sport began in our house.”
Gianna would be entering her freshman year of college next month. His career was cut short, but his mother hopes fans honor Kobe and Gianna’s legacy.
“I ask you one thing: give the girls your time,” said Vanessa Bryant. “Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can get through it, because they can, they have and they will. Iron sharpens iron. Reaffirm that confidence and see how much they prosper.
See more information: Lakers unveil Kobe Bryant statue celebrating his ‘timeless’ legacy
“Sometimes all we need is one person to believe in us, even if that person is ourselves. Take the girls to watch women play sports. Buy those game tickets if you can. Watch the women’s games at TV with their daughters, nieces and cousins. If girls can see professional women play, they know they have the potential to be them. They know that these ambitions are not just dreams, but we will build the next generation of athletes. .”
The statue was originally designed by Karon Davis and created by the artists at Rotblatt Amrany Studio. The date of the new statue’s unveiling – 02/08/24 – was significant because it involves the Jersey numbers #8 and #24 that Bryant wore with the Lakers as well as the jersey number no. 2 Gianna Used as a Bryant’s player Mamba Academy.
Fans can begin visiting the statue starting Saturday at 9 a.m. PDT.
O the first statue of Kobe Bryant at Crypto.com Arena was unveiled on an equally significant date in February (02/08/24). The 19-foot, 4,000-pound bronze memorial depicts Bryant in his No. 8 jersey. He’s pointing to the sky in a recreation of an image of his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
The planned third statue, which will be unveiled at a later date, will show Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore for the final 10 years of his 20-year career with the Lakers.
Time staff members Chuck Schilken and Dan Woike contributed to this report.
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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
