Skip to main content

Gianna Bryant Honored With a Jersey From UConn Women's Basketball Team

Gianna-Bryant-Honored-With-a-Jersey-From-UConn-Women's-Basketball-Team
Gianna and Kobe Bryant Courtesy of Kobe Bryant/Instagram

Forever a Husky. The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in the most special way after the pair died in an unexpected helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26.

Everything We Know About Kobe Bryant's Fatal Helicopter Accident

The UConn Huskies faced off against Team USA in Hartford, Connecticut, on Monday, January 27, and made a point of honoring of the two longtime UConn fans before tipoff. The all-star collegiate team draped a jersey over a chair on the side of the court beside a bouquet of white flowers. The number 2, which Gianna wore on her Mamba Sports Academy team, was emblazoned on the front.

Gianna-Bryant-Honored-With-a-Jersey-From-UConn-Women's-Basketball-Team
A seat with a jersey and flowers is reserved in memory of Gianna Bryant before an exhibition basketball game in the first half of a basketball game against the US, in Hartford, Conn. on January 27, 2020. Jessica Hill/AP/Shutterstock

“Mambacita is forever a Husky,” a tweet from the UConn women’s team read on Monday night, referring to Gianna’s nickname. Her father was known as the “Black Mamba” throughout his two decades in the NBA and had filed for a trademark of his 13-year-old’s pet name one month before they both passed away.

Before the game began on Monday night, ESPN reported that members of both the NCAA team and Team USA joined hands in the center of the court to take part in a 24-second moment of silence in Kobe and Gianna’s memory.

A 24-second moment of silence was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant before the Uconn-Team USA game. pic.twitter.com/jBeDTfPH7i

— ESPN (@espn) January 28, 2020

“Yesterday we learned of the tragic and sudden deaths of nine people, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna,” the announcer said somberly. “A legendary talent and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Kobe was an inspiration to many of the people on the floor tonight. He was an advocate for women’s basketball and did as much to grow the game globally as anyone in recent memory. He and Gianna were tremendous supporters of UConn, friends to both teams, and their untimely deaths leave us heartbroken.”

Chrissy Teigen, Dwayne Wade and More Stars React to Kobe Bryant's Death

Kobe and his second oldest daughter shared a mutual love for basketball, and the Los Angeles Lakers star even coached Gianna’s AAU team. The pair were on their way to a game at the Mamba Sports Academy when their helicopter crashed and caught fire. The middle schooler had high hopes for her future in the sport and wanted to play for the UConn Huskies — one of the most highly regarded women’s basketball programs in the NCAA — after high school.

Before Monday’s game in Connecticut, legendary Huskies coach Geno Auriemma told ESPN that he saw something special in Gianna, who would often attend UConn games with her dad.

Kobe Bryant's Best Quotes About Fatherhood

“Gigi started to show a tremendous interest in the game,” Auriemma, 65, said. “Our kids were fascinated by her, and obviously for a little girl to be in the company of those players, I can’t put myself in her shows, but it must have been an unbelievable thrill … This little girl who’s looking up to these players like they’re superhuman.”



from Celebrity News – Us Weekly https://ift.tt/3aLzYu9

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Kaley Cuoco Spanked by Husband Karl Cook While Doing Koala Challenge

The couple that plays together, stays together! Kaley Cuoco and husband Karl Cook took their playfulness to the next level while attempting to do the latest viral craze, the koala challenge. Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook: A Timeline of Their Relationship The Big Bang Theory   alum, 34, shared two videos of herself and her hubby, 29, trying the challenge, which involves someone moving around another person without falling or touching the ground, on Saturday, April 18. In the first video, Cuoco is on Cook’s back as she says, “Don’t drop me on my head!” “You have to participate, OK? You ready?” the equestrian responds. The 8 Simple Rules alum swings in front of Cook as she bursts out laughing. “This is scary!” she screams between laughs. Cook then puts Cuoco over his shoulder and spanks her several times as the couple struggles to perform the challenge. How Celebrity Couples Are Self-Quarantining “First (of many) MEGA FAIL’s at #thekoalachallenge with my very patient ...

Pink Helps Husband Carey Hart Recover After Spinal Surgery

Carey Hart and Pink. Rob Latour/Shutterstock Hello nurse! Carey Hart is recovering from spinal surgery with lots of help from his wife, Pink — and he couldn’t be more thankful. Pink and Carey Hart's Relationship Timeline Read article The motocross star , 46, underwent lower spine disc replacement surgery on Thursday, September 23, and let fans know that the procedure was a “success” hours after he got out of the operating room. “One down and one to go,” he wrote on Instagram , adding that he was “up and out of bed and walking, just a few hours post-surgery.” By the next morning, he was already heading home. While still in the hospital on Friday, September 24, he posted a video of himself in his post-op gown taking a stroll around the building. “Been up five times since this,” he bragged. “Can’t wait to come back stronger than ever, and kick ass on my dirt bike in 2022.” While he thanked the staff at DISC Sports & Spine Center in Newport Beach, California, he gave the...

Royal Baby Watch! Duchess Meghan's Mom Doria Is In London Ahead of Birth

Things are getting real! Duchess Meghan ’s mom, Doria Ragland , has arrived in the United Kingdom as the due date of the royal baby inches closer. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan: A Timeline of Their Relationship The yoga instructor, 62, flew from Los Angeles to London as the Suits alum, 37, and Prince Harry await the arrival of their first child . Though speculation began to swirl that Meghan has already given birth, Queen Elizabeth II ’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter shared on Monday, April 15, that the talk was untrue . “If you believe that [she had her baby], you’d believe anything,” Arbiter, 79, said during an interview with Today Extra . “It’s really a case of keeping the royal rumor mill going — a good story sells a newspaper but, quite frankly, there isn’t any substance to it.” Everything We Know About How Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Will Raise Their Royal Baby As for when the public will be made aware of the newest royal baby, the On Duty With The Queen au...