For many years, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant shared a legendary bond on the court. Following Bryant’s untimely passing in 2020, Gasol has continued to remain close with his on-court partner’s family, becoming one of the Bryant family’s closest and most reliable friends. Having taken on the role of a guardian angel for the family, Gasol came through once again with birthday wishes for Natalia Bryant.
Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, turned 22 on Sunday, and birthday messages flooded in from family, friends, and fans alike. One of the most touching tributes, however, came from Pau Gasol, who took to social media with a heartfelt tribute, posting a warm message alongside a black-and-white photo of him hugging Natalia, continuing to maintain the bond between their families.
Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest and most beautiful, #NataliaBryant! Love you, Nani!
Pau Gasol tweeted
Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest and most beautiful, #NataliaBryant! Love you, Nani! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yqA4iPyO13
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 20, 2025
As is evident, Gasol is more than just a former teammate of Kobe Bryant – he’s now basically family for the Bryants. In fact, before Kobe’s passing, their bond was solid enough for Gasol to be named the godfather to Natalia Bryant. Reflecting this sentiment, Vanessa Bryant reacted to Pau Gasol’s post on Instagram for Natalia Bryant, commenting on the warm wishes from her godfather.
“So sweet!!” Vanessa wrote in the comments of Gasol’s post.
For Pau Gasol, his bond with Kobe Bryant and his family extends far beyond just the championships they won with the Los Angeles Lakers. When Gasol had his own daughter in 2020, he gave her the middle name ‘Gianna‘ as a tribute to Kobe and Vanessa’s late daughter. He also named Vanessa Bryant his child’s godmother, which just goes to show how strong and unbreakable the bond between their families is.
Fans left ecstatic after Pau Gasol’s wholesome tribute
As was expected, Pau Gasol’s birthday post for Natalia Bryant quickly went viral across the internet. More than anything else, fans couldn’t help but reflect warmly at the constant show of support and love that the Gasol and Bryant families share. Many of these fans posted their reactions under Gasol’s celebratory post on Twitter.
Kobe smiling down rn🙏🏽
— DTLF (@DantheLakersFAN) January 20, 2025
Uncle Pau is a champion off the court
— Cash Money Goulah (@CashMoneyGoulah) January 20, 2025
I love his relationship that he has with the Bryant family..it’s so heartwarming to see
— Big Troll 🧌😝🤪 (@_kayejaee_) January 20, 2025
everybody needs a Pau Gasol in their life 💜
— NBALakersReport (@NBALakersReport) January 20, 2025
You a real one UNC!❤️
— CHIEF BEEF (@bigbeefla) January 20, 2025
Excellent of you Pau to continue to be a role model to Kobe’s children. Amazing human being.
— Daniel M. (@d_metz13) January 20, 2025
As fans continued to pour in love towards Gasol and Natalia Bryant, the birthday girl was busy with her party shenanigans. For her 22nd birthday, the eldest Bryant daughter showed off a Taylor Swift-themed cake, with the obvious ’22’ by Taylor Swift reference on the icing of the cake.
Currently, Natalia Bryant is pursuing a degree in film at USC while carrying on the famed mantle of the Bryant family. With Kobe Bryant’s five-year death anniversary coming up in less than a week, on the 26th of January, it is sure to be an emotional birthday, and an emotional week for Natalia, Vanessa and Pau Gasol, of course.
Stay Updated!
Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.
