The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a second statue of Kobe Bryant, which can be dedicated to his daughter Gianna.
The statue, unveiled outside Crypto.com Arena on Friday, shows Kobe wearing a beanie and sweatshirt, his arm around a smiling Gianna. The sculpture appears to be based on a photograph of the 2 sitting courtside together at a Lakers game in 2019. They are surrounded by angel wings.
A plaque beneath the statue incorporates a quote from Kobe, who is taken into account the “Most Valuable Girl Dad.”
“Gianna is a beast,” Kobe's quote reads. “She's better than I was at her age. She's got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I'm a girl dad.”
8.2.24 – Kobe and Gigi immortalized ceaselessly 🦋 pic.twitter.com/WxPDMfEaRq
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) 2 August 2024
The date of Friday's unveiling was also significant, because it fell on August 2, 2024 (2.8.24). Kobe's jersey numbers during his illustrious 20-year NBA profession with the Lakers were No. 8 and 24, while Gianna wore No. 2 on her basketball team.
Kobe, Gianna and 7 others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020, en path to a basketball tournament for Gianna. On board were two of their teammates, three other parents, an assistant coach and the pilot.
The Bryant family. Forever a beacon of affection, strength and hope 💜 pic.twitter.com/GU71bNzUK9
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) 2 August 2024
Kobe's widow Vanessa Bryant had previously announced that there can be three Kobe statues outside Crypto.com Arena: one with the number 8, one with the number 24 and one with Gianna. The Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe wearing the number 8 jersey on February 8.
The team has also honored other legends with a statue in Star Plaza, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, announcer Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry West.
Required reading
image credit : www.nytimes.com