Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in 2020 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled a touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, four years after their tragic passing in a helicopter crash.
The bronze statue, titled "Girl Dad," was revealed by Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow, during a private ceremony held on Friday outside the Crypto.com Arena.
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Located in a newly landscaped area at the arena's 11th Street entrance, the sculpture, created by Rotblatt Amrany Studio, depicts a tender moment between father and daughter. Kobe has his arm around Gigi, planting a kiss on her head.
"The tribute represents Kobe and Gianna's exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship Kobe shared with all four of his daughters," the Lakers said in a statement.
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The statue also holds a deeper meaning, highlighting the Bryant family's advocacy for women's sports. Kobe is depicted wearing a WNBA hoodie.
"We were faced with the harsh reality that no matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how great her daddy taught her how to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities that her dad and young men currently have because she's a girl," Vanessa shared during the unveiling ceremony with a small gathering of family and friends.
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This realisation, Vanessa explained, ignited a passion within the family to champion change for women in sports. "That's when the challenge to change the perception of women's sports started in our household," she said.
"Gianna would be going into her first year of college this year. We would be watching her shine on the court. Now her spirit is shining a path she has created for young girls and women in sports."
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Vanessa revealed that the sculpture itself merges two iconic moments shared by Kobe and Gigi courtside, "Gianna has her gorgeous smile on her face and Kobe is kissing the top of her head while wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gigi gifted him for Christmas. He's also wearing a WNBA hoodie he wore courtside to the game with Gigi.
Vanessa emphasised the significance of Kobe being the "first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie to a big game. That was to show his support for Gigi's dreams and women across all sports.
"That was a moment he shared with Gigi that will always be a powerful representation of the movement towards equality that was always so important to our family.
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"The inscription on the plaque beneath the statue reads: "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," she said.
In 2020, just four years after he retired from basketball, Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
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