Amanda Knapp
Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players of all time. He was a doting father to his four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri. Nicknamed Gigi, Kobe's second daughter, Gianna, was also a basketball player who wanted to follow in her father's footsteps. Tragically, Kobe and Gianna died in a helicopter crash in 2020. Gianna's legacy continues to be celebrated through various initiatives, including the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was relaunched by her mother, Vanessa Bryant, to honour both Kobe and Gianna's love for basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Kobe Bryant's daughter | Gianna Bryant, also known as Gigi Bryant and Mambacita |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 2006 |
| Date of Death | January 26, 2020 |
| Cause of Death | Helicopter crash |
| Age | 13 |
| Parents | Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant |
| Siblings | Natalia Bryant, Bianka Bryant, and Capri Bryant |
| Interest in Basketball | Expected to play for the University of Connecticut's UConn Huskies women's basketball team |
| Legacy | The WNBA introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award to honor someone in the basketball space for their advocacy for women's basketball |
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What You'll Learn
- Kobe Bryant's daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in 2020
- Gianna's mother, Vanessa Bryant, continues to honour her memory
- Kobe's daughter, Bianka, is learning basketball from WNBA stars
- Capri, Kobe's youngest daughter, is following in her father's athletic footsteps
- The WNBA introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award to honour their legacy
Kobe Bryant's daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in 2020
Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, was also among the nine people killed in the tragic accident.
Gianna, born on May 1, 2006, was an aspiring young basketball player herself. She was expected to play for the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team, and her passion for the sport was well-known. Gianna often accompanied her father to games and basketball events, and a video of the pair talking intently during a game went viral in 2020.
The group was travelling to the Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park for a girls' basketball tournament. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter took off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, made a U-turn in Calabasas, and then climbed and descended steeply before crashing into a hillside in dense morning fog. The other victims included two of Gianna's basketball teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, their parents and basketball coach, and the experienced pilot, Ara Zobayan.
The loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant shocked the world, and memorials and tributes were held worldwide. On the second anniversary of their deaths, a bronze statue of the pair was placed at the crash site, and Kobe's team's basketball court unveiled a statue of him, with Gianna's mother, Vanessa, announcing that a statue of Gianna would also be installed at the site.
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Gianna's mother, Vanessa Bryant, continues to honour her memory
Gianna "Gigi" Bryant was the 13-year-old daughter of Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant. She was a rising basketball star, having inherited her father's passion for the sport. In January 2020, Gigi, Kobe, and seven others died in a helicopter crash.
Vanessa Bryant has continued to honour her daughter's memory in several ways. On what would have been Gigi's 15th birthday in 2021, Vanessa launched the Mambacita clothing collection in her memory. The collection featured unisex and children's clothing, with all proceeds going to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. The non-profit organisation was set up in Gigi and Kobe's memory to support sports opportunities for underserved youth and empower young athletes. On Gigi's 16th birthday in 2022, Nike released the "Mambacita Sweet 16" shoe, symbolising her impact on basketball and her goal to make the sport more inclusive.
Vanessa has also shared heartfelt tributes to Gigi on social media, including on her 19th birthday in 2025. She posted a touching photo of Gigi in her Mamba Academy uniform, along with a caption expressing her grief and love. She also shared a quote from Gigi on Instagram when UConn won the NCAA Championship, reminding everyone of her dream to play for the team.
In addition to these personal tributes, Vanessa has also been involved in public memorials honouring Gigi. In 2022, a bronze statue of Gigi and her father was placed at the crash site on the second anniversary of their deaths. In 2024, a statue of Kobe was installed at his team's basketball court, and Vanessa announced that two more statues, including one of Gigi, were planned for that site.
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Kobe's daughter, Bianka, is learning basketball from WNBA stars
Kobe Bryant was a devoted father to his four daughters, Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri, with his wife, Vanessa Bryant. In 2020, Kobe and his second daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Gianna, lovingly known as Gigi, was an aspiring basketball player, and her father supported her dreams of joining the WNBA.
Following the tragic loss of Kobe and Gianna, Vanessa has credited her three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, as being her "light in the darkness". She has also ensured that their memories are kept alive over the years. Bianka, who was seven years old as of May 2024, has shown an interest in basketball, just like her late sister, Gianna. She has been fortunate to learn from WNBA stars such as Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.
During a trip to New York City, Vanessa took Bianka to spend time with WNBA star and family friend Sabrina Ionescu. Vanessa shared photos and videos from their trip, which included clips of Bianka and Ionescu shooting baskets and practicing passing drills. Ionescu was a mentee of Kobe's and has maintained a close friendship with the Bryant family. She has spoken about how Kobe and Gianna's legacy motivates her.
Bianka has also showcased her basketball skills while playing with WNBA alum Candace Parker. Parker, a former WNBA star, captioned an Instagram Story snap of herself and Bianka shooting hoops together, praising the young girl's technique and commenting on how proud she was of Bianka and Vanessa.
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Capri, Kobe's youngest daughter, is following in her father's athletic footsteps
Kobe Bryant was a devoted father to his four daughters with his wife, Vanessa. Tragically, Kobe and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in 2020. Gianna, also known as Gigi, was an aspiring basketball player, and her father was often seen with her at games and press conferences.
Kobe's youngest daughter, Capri, is following in her late father's athletic footsteps. Capri, born in June 2019, is the youngest of Kobe and Vanessa's four daughters. In a recent Instagram post, Vanessa shared a side-by-side photo of Kobe and Capri, both holding a basketball in the same way. The caption read, "Like father, like daughter. 💜 Capri ... " This heartwarming snapshot showcases Capri's love for basketball and her resemblance to her late father.
Vanessa has also shared photos and videos of Capri and her older sister, Bianka, spending time with WNBA star and family friend Sabrina Ionescu in New York City. Bianka, who is also learning to play basketball, was seen shooting baskets and practicing passing drills with Ionescu.
The Bryant family has continued to honour the memories of Kobe and Gianna. In February 2024, a statue of Kobe was installed at his team's basketball court, and Gianna's mother, Vanessa, announced that two more statues, including one of Gianna, were planned for the site. The WNBA also introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award to honour those who advocate for girls and women's basketball.
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The WNBA introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award to honour their legacy
Kobe Bryant was a legendary basketball player and a devoted father to his four daughters with wife Vanessa Bryant. Tragically, Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, and seven others lost their lives in a helicopter crash in 2020. Gianna, who was born in 2006, shared her father's passion for basketball and dreamed of playing for the University of Connecticut's UConn Huskies women's basketball team.
In honour of their legacy, the WNBA introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award in 2020. This award recognizes and celebrates tireless advocates who have made significant contributions to the advancement of girls' and women's basketball. It highlights Kobe's impact as a coach and mentor and Gianna's unwavering dedication to excelling in the sport. The award also includes a charitable component, reflecting Kobe's commitment to giving back to the community.
Vanessa Bryant, who plays a pivotal role in selecting the award recipient, expressed her sentiments during the unveiling of Kobe's memorial statue at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles:
> "It goes without saying that today is an especially sad day for us since Kobe and Gigi aren't here for what is supposed to be an incredibly joyous moment and Kobe’s legacy."
The inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award was Chris Paul in 2022, followed by Pau Gasol in 2023. In 2024, the honour was bestowed upon Annie Meyers Drysdale, a basketball pioneer and longtime broadcaster known for breaking barriers and advocating for equality in sports.
Through this prestigious award, the WNBA ensures that the indelible impact of Kobe and Gigi Bryant on the world of basketball, particularly in inspiring and mentoring the next generation of female athletes, is forever remembered and celebrated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kobe's daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant was an American student-athlete. She died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 13.
Yes, Kobe and his wife Vanessa had three other daughters: Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
Yes, there are reports of Kobe's other daughters playing basketball. His daughter Bianka has been seen shooting hoops with former WNBA star Candace Parker. There are also reports of his youngest daughter, Capri, following in her father's athletic footsteps and playing basketball.
Yes, after Kobe's death, his wife Vanessa shared photos and videos of their daughters Bianka and Capri on a trip to New York City, where they played basketball with WNBA star and family friend Sabrina Ionescu.
Yes, after Kobe's death, his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri were present for the unveiling of his memorial statue at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Vanessa said, "Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning. And this moment isn't just for Kobe, but it's for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years."
