A statue featuring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant was revealed in a private event on Friday, held under a tent outside Crypto.com Arena. This statue is the second of three planned tributes to the Los Angeles Lakers star, who tragically died in a helicopter crash with Gigi and seven others in January 2020.
The first statue, a 19-foot bronze tribute commemorating Bryant’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors, was unveiled on February 8.
The date of Friday’s unveiling (8/2/24) carries similar symbolic significance to the February event (2/8/24), reflecting Bryant’s jersey numbers (8 and 24) and Gigi’s No. 2 from her basketball days. The new statue of the father and daughter is situated near the Los Angeles Kings’ monument for their 50th anniversary and will be open to the public starting Saturday morning.
In a statement released by the Lakers, Vanessa Bryant explained the statue’s significance. “We’ve combined two memorable moments of Kobe and Gigi,” she said. “Gigi is smiling beautifully while Kobe is kissing the top of her head, wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie she gave him for Christmas. He is also in a WNBA hoodie he wore courtside during a game with Gigi. Kobe was the first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie to a major game to support Gigi’s aspirations and women’s sports. This moment represents our family’s commitment to the movement for equality.”
The plaque at the statue’s base reads, “Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports” and “Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports.” It also includes a quote from Kobe Bryant: “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 Bryant had previously announced that the third statue would depict her husband in his No. 24 Lakers uniform.
