Who was Kobe Bryant’s daughter Gigi?
GIANNA "Gigi" Bryant promised her dad, Kobe, that she would carry on his NBA legacy before her life was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash in 2020.
Kobe Bryant was extremely close to the 13-year-old basketball star in the making, often describing her as "something else" on the court.
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Who was Kobe Bryant's daughter Gianna?
Gigi was a budding basketball player who was the second of four daughters of Kobe and his wife Vanessa, 38.
She was a rising star in her own right and was on her way to a practice session before the crash that ended her life on January 26, 2020.
Gigi was not afraid to show off her basketball skills to disprove Kobe fans who thought he needed a son to carry on his legacy.
One of her team-mates, Alyssa Altobelli, was also on board the helicopter when it crashed into a hill shrouded in fog 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.
She shared black and white photos of her whole family and a picture of herself hugging Gianna as they both grinned ear to ear.
Kobe's eldest daughter shared the photo in response to a request of a photo of "you at your happiest".
Why was Gianna on the helicopter with her dad?
Gianna and dad Kobe had been expected at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball game.
The teenager was set to play in the game and her dad was expected to coach, according to Lady Mavericks team director Evelyn Morales.
The pair died after the helicopter crashed on Sunday, January 26.
Sadly, college baseball coach John Altobelli and his wife and daughter - Keri and Alyssa - were also killed in the crash.
In total, nine people died on board.
What basketball team did Gianna play for?
Gianna was part of the Mamba Lady Mavericks team and had been expected to play girls from the Fresno Lady Heat team.
She hoped to play in the WNBA, and Kobe believed she was the heir to his legacy.
What had Kobe Bryant said about his daughter?
Proud dad Kobe would send videos showcasing his daughter’s basketball prowess to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who was also Gianna’s godfather.
A 2019 viral video of Gianna’s basketball highlights showed her using moves she learned from her legendary father, who described her as “something else” when she was out on the court.
Gianna was always quick to remind people that her father didn’t need a son to continue the family’s basketball legacy.
In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Kobe said of his daughter: "This kid, man, I’m telling you.
"The best thing that happens when we go out and fans come up to me and she’ll be standing next to me and they are saying you have to have a boy, to have someone carry on your tradition and legacy.
"And ‘she’s like hey, he's got this’."