Ayrton Oneill
Gianna Gigi Bryant was the daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Gigi was an aspiring basketball player herself, playing on the school basketball team at Harbor Day School in Newport Beach. She was also a member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Gigi wore the number 2 jersey, inspired by professional women's soccer player Sydney Leroux Dwyer. Tragically, Gigi's life was cut short in a helicopter crash in 2020, in which her father and seven others also died. Following her death, her school retired her number 2 jersey in a special ceremony. In addition, the University of Connecticut's UConn Huskies women's basketball team, which Gigi aspired to join, paid tribute to her by placing flowers and a UConn jersey bearing her number 2 on the bench.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant |
| Nicknames | Gigi, Mambacita |
| Date of Birth | 1 May 2006 |
| Date of Death | 26 January 2020 |
| Age at Death | 13 years old |
| Father | Kobe Bryant |
| Mother | Vanessa Bryant |
| Siblings | Natalia, Bianka, Capri |
| School | Harbor Day School, Newport Beach |
| Jersey Number | 2 |
| Basketball Team | Harbor Day School's basketball team |
| College Aspiration | University of Connecticut's UConn Huskies women's basketball team |
| Awards | WNBA introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Gianna Gigi Bryant wore the number 2 jersey
Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, wore the number 2 jersey during her burgeoning basketball career. Gianna was an aspiring young basketball player who played on the school basketball team at Harbor Day School in Newport Beach and for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Tragically, her life was cut short in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with her father and seven others.
Gigi's jersey number became a significant part of her legacy. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Gigi's mother, Vanessa Bryant, explained that her daughter chose the number 2 jersey because she was inspired by professional women's soccer player Sydney Leroux Dwyer. Sydney wore the number 2 jersey, and Gigi decided to adopt the same number as her soccer idol. This choice carried over into her basketball career, where she continued to wear the number 2 jersey.
Gigi's school, Harbor Day School, retired her number 2 jersey in a special ceremony to honour her memory. During the ceremony, emotional speeches were given by teachers, fellow students, and coaches, and it was announced that a framed number two jersey with Gianna's name on the back would be displayed in the school gym to inspire future generations.
The University of Connecticut's UConn Huskies women's basketball team also paid tribute to Gigi by reserving a seat for her at a game, placing flowers and a UConn jersey bearing her number 2 on the bench. The team's Twitter account shared a heartfelt message, "Mambacita is forever a Husky," acknowledging her dream of playing for their team and her enduring connection to the Huskies.
Gigi's jersey number continues to be a symbol of her passion for basketball and her inspiring legacy. Her number 2 jersey represents not only her athletic pursuits but also her impact on the basketball community, with statues, awards, and memorials honouring her memory and celebrating her love for the sport.
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She was inspired to wear this number by Sydney Leroux Dwyer
Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, was an aspiring basketball player herself. She was known for wearing the No. 2 jersey during her burgeoning basketball career.
Gigi was inspired by professional women's soccer player Sydney Leroux Dwyer to wear the No. 2 jersey. Gigi's mother, Vanessa Bryant, explained in an Instagram post that her daughter wore No. 2 as a soccer player since it was Sydney Leroux's number, and she kept the number when she played basketball.
Sydney Leroux and her husband Dom Dwyer gifted Vanessa a beautiful piece of artwork of Kobe and Gigi in their jerseys with angel wings. Vanessa thanked Sydney and said that she was a huge inspiration to her daughter. Sydney also shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling Gigi an "aspiring athlete" and a "star".
Sydney further honoured Gigi by getting a tattoo of the number two, which was Gigi's jersey number on the basketball court. Sydney's Instagram post read, "2 will always be ours". Vanessa shared a photo of the tattoo on Instagram, captioning it, "#2 ❤️, Leroux. Thank you for honouring my Gigi. I love you".
Gigi Bryant and her father, Kobe Bryant, died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with seven other passengers.
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Gigi was an aspiring basketball player
Gianna "Gigi" Bryant was an aspiring basketball player and the daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. She was born on May 1, 2006, and died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with her father and seven others.
Gigi was known for her infectious enthusiasm, unwavering dedication, and incredible talent, which made her a beloved figure among fans and players alike. She had a deep love for basketball and a vibrant personality. She was also known for her impressive ball-handling, court vision, and natural scoring ability. Her talent was undeniable, and her potential seemed limitless. Coaches and teammates spoke highly of her drive and determination. She was also recognised for her strong work ethic and wasn't content with simply being good; she strived for greatness.
Gigi was inspired by her father, and from a young age, she showed an undeniable talent for basketball. She would mimic her father's moves, and her small hands displayed a natural feel for the ball. Kobe coached and mentored her, fostering her love for the sport. However, Gigi developed her unique style and skills, and she wasn't just riding on her father's fame. She possessed exceptional skill and a fierce competitive spirit.
Gigi wore the number 2 jersey, inspired by professional women's soccer player Sydney Leroux Dwyer. She chose to wear this number because Sydney wore it, and Gigi kept the number when she played basketball. In the 2020 All-Star Game, Team LeBron wore number 2 jerseys to honour Gigi. UConn, where Gigi had been aspiring to play, also placed flowers and a UConn jersey bearing her number 2 on the bench after her death.
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She died in a helicopter crash in 2020
Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, wore the number 2 jersey during her burgeoning basketball career. Gigi was an aspiring basketball player herself, and her father was her coach. She was known to have accompanied him to the 2008 NBA Finals press conference and even played on the court during warm-ups at the 2016 All-Star Game.
On January 26, 2020, Gigi Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with her father and seven others. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was en route from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport, around 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. All nine people on board were killed, including two of Gigi's basketball teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester. The accident was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which concluded that the helicopter entered low cloud cover, causing the pilot to lose his sense of orientation and control of the aircraft.
The manner of death for all nine victims was ruled as an accident due to blunt trauma. The public memorial service was held on February 24, marking both Kobe's and Gigi's jersey numbers. The date 2/24 also corresponds to August (8) and the day (24), the two numbers Kobe Bryant wore during his career with the Lakers.
Gigi Bryant's death shocked the basketball world, and she has been honoured in various ways, including murals painted in Los Angeles, a statue of her and her father, and the WNBA introducing the annual Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award to recognize advocacy for women and girls' basketball.
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She was the daughter of Kobe Bryant
Gianna "Gigi" Bryant was the daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and businesswoman, philanthropist, and model Vanessa Bryant. She was born on May 1, 2006, and had three sisters: Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. From a young age, Gianna wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and become a basketball player. She played basketball at Harbor Day School in Newport Beach and for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
Gigi was just 13 years old when she died in a helicopter crash alongside her father and seven others on January 26, 2020. They were on their way to a youth basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy, where Kobe was going to coach. The crash occurred in Calabasas, California, due to the pilot losing control amid thick fog.
Gigi wore the number 2 jersey, inspired by professional women's soccer player Sydney Leroux Dwyer. In the 2020 All-Star Game, Team LeBron and Team Giannis honored Kobe and Gigi by wearing the numbers 24 and 2, respectively. A statue of Kobe and Gigi was unveiled near Crypto.com Arena on August 2, 2024, depicting them embracing.
Gigi's impact on basketball was recognized by Nike, who released the "Mambacita Sweet 16" shoe on what would have been her 16th birthday in May 2022. The WNBA also introduced the Kobe & Gigi Advocacy Award to honor those who advocate for women's and girls' basketball. Gigi Bryant was not just the daughter of Kobe Bryant, but a budding basketball player herself, determined to forge her path in the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
Gigi Bryant wore the number 2 jersey.
She was inspired by professional women's soccer player, Sydney Leroux Dwyer, who wears the number 2 jersey.
It is unclear whether she always wore the number 2 jersey, but it is the number she is most associated with.
It is unclear whether she had other jerseys, but she was expected to play for the University of Connecticut's UConn Huskies women's basketball team, who placed flowers and a UConn jersey bearing her number 2 on the bench.
