Watch: Vanessa Bryant Reflects On First Meeting Kobe Bryant
Vanessa Bryant is thinking of her late daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.
After the University of Connecticut Huskies won the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks on April 6, the 42-year-old shared a heartfelt tribute to Gianna’s favorite women’s sports team.
“Gigi would’ve loved being there with you,” Vanessa wrote on her Instagram Stories, which featured a photo of the UConn Huskies claiming their recent victory. She then added the motivational quote Gigi—who died at age 13 alongside her dad Kobe Bryant, 41, and seven other passengers in a 2020 helicopter crash—told the team in previous years. “‘When you think you can’t, UCONN.’” (The Huskies also have this uplifting phrase on their Instagram.)
The women’s basketball team later reposted Vanessa’s shoutout on their own Instagram Stories with two blue heart emojis. This sweet interaction is another reminder of how close the Bryant family is to the Huskies. In fact, their bond traces back to 2018, when Kobe revealed that Gigi was “hellbent” on playing with the Connecticut team in the future.
Several weeks after Gianna’s death, the Huskies sweetly honored her by laying out a jersey—which had her name on the back—and a bouquet of white roses on the bench during their game on Jan. 27.
The team later shared a photo of the tribute on their Instagram, noting she’s “forever a Husky.”
When Vanessa—also mom to daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, 7, and Capri, 4—isn’t continuing Gianna’s support of the team, she’s honoring her legacy with a new sneaker design. Last April, a month before what would’ve been Gigi’s 18th birthday, Vanessa shared a special edition design for the Nike Kobe 8 “Mambacita,” a protro sneaker inspired by the teen’s nickname.
“MAMBACITA,” she captioned the Instagram post, which featured a photo of the butterfly-adorned shoe, at the time. “5/1/2006 GIGI.”
Keep reading to see more heartwarming moments from the Bryant family…
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The basketball star posed with his parents Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000.
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The duo were all smiles while posing for a portrait in November 2000.
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
“Happy Birthday B.B. I Can’t believe you are 3 already!” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. “We love you little mamacita.”
“My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB),” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
“Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!” Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
“My Gigi,” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
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The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
“@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble,” the caption of the September 2019 post read.
“Happy Mother’s Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family,” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri’s birth. “You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba.”
“Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi,” Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. “Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way.”
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Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
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Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
“Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas,” the caption of the 2018 post read.
Kobe and his family members attended a women’s basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
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Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
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Kobe’s wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
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Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers’ NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
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The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as “Daddy’s little princesses.” Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
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