GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
'Mambacita' Gianna Bryant's school retires her #2 jersey
Kobe Bryant's daughter Gianna, who died with the basketball icon in a tragic helicopter crash, was honored by her school with a jersey retirement.
Gianna's #2 jersey was retired during a heart-warming tribute at the Harbor Day School, where the 13-year-old studied.
Her mother Vanessa attended the event and shared photos and videos on her Instagram account.
She penned emotional messages for Gianna in the captions.
"My Gianna. God I miss you. I’ve been so lucky to have woken up to see your gorgeous face and amazing smile for 13 years. Wish it would’ve been until my last breath. Mommy loves you to the moon and back. Infinity plus 1. #2," she wrote in a post.
In another post, Vanesse wrote, "My Gigi. I love you! I miss you. You’ve taught us all that no act of kindness is ever too small. Mommy is still and will ALWAYS be so proud of you mamacita."
RELATED: Kobe's widow Vanessa Bryant breaks silence, posts emotional message on Instagram
Kobe called Gianna "Mambacita" after his own court persona "Black Mamba."
In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in January 2018, Kobe said Gianna or "Gigi" was really determined in pursuing a career in the WNBA.
Kobe also said when fans came up to him and Gianna said he had to have a boy to carry on his family tradition, Gigi would tell them "Oy! I've got this!"
Gianna and Kobe were on their way to Thousand Oaks to coach and play a basketball game when their helicopter crashed, killing them and seven others on board.
—JCB, GMA News
