- Gigi, dubbed "Mambacita," shared her father's love for the game and intended to one day follow in his footsteps by playing professional basketball in the WNBA.
- According to the Black Mamba himself, Gigi was "hellbent" on playing college ball for Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies.
- Prior to their highly-anticipated Monday-night matchup against the US Women's National Team, the Huskies honored the young Bryant with a No. 2 jersey and floral arrangement perched on the UConn bench.
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UConn Huskies pay tribute to the late Gigi Bryant during an emotional matchup against the US Women's National Team
NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, Sunday.
Gigi UConn jersey
NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, died in a helicopter crash along with seven others in Calabasas, California, Sunday.
Dubbed "Mambacita" after her father's nickname "Black Mamba," Gigi spent much of her childhood watching her father dominate the NBA and aspired to follow in his footsteps. She wanted to play in the WNBA someday, but she was "hellbent" on playing college ball for Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies first, according to her dad.
Just one day after the Bryants' fatal accident, the Huskies hosted the US Women's National Team for a scrimmage as part of its pre-Olympics tour. And prior to tipoff, UConn honored Gigi with by draping a No. 2 jersey the number she wore with her AAU team over the back of its bench and placing a bouquet of flowers on the seat.
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It was an emotional night for many of the players and staff on hand. Kobe was an outspoken supporter of the women's game and the WNBA and had a personal relationship with many of the stars who laced up for Team USA.
Diana Taurasi the all-time WNBA leading scorer whom Bryant regularly called the greatest of all time and dubbed the "White Mamba" broke down in front of the camera's while trying to reflect on the Black Mamba's legacy.
"I don't know if I can do this," Taurasi began while holding back tears. "He meant so much to a city. That fighting spirit that he had, I think everyone had that in them and he found a way to make it okay for everyone to be that way."
"I was a huge fan growing up," the Los Angeles native added. "Still am."
After the game, Team USA forward Nneka Ogwumike said that she hoped both teams did the Bryants proud with their performance.
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"I would just hope that we did exactly what he would want us to do," she told ESPN. "Exactly what Gigi would want to watch."
After trailing for stretches of the game, Team USA pulled away from the Huskies for the 79-64 victory.
- Read more:
- Photos of Kobe and Gigi Bryant show how the father-daughter duo shared a deep love for the game of basketball
- Kobe Bryant started using helicopters as a player as a way to maintain his body and spend more time with his family
- Time will honor the late Kobe Bryant with a cover featuring his final bow
- Remembering the highlights of Kobe Bryant's illustrious career after his tragic death
See Also:
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- Dwyane Wade cried in an Instagram video about Kobe Bryant's death, saying it feels like a 'bad dream that you just want to wake up from'
- 12 major NBA records that are still held by Kobe Bryant
- Shaquille O'Neal's son says Kobe Bryant messaged him 'You good fam?' hours before he died in a helicopter crash
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