The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a new statue of the late Kobe Bryant and his late daughter Gianna outside of the Crypto.com Arena on Friday. The private ceremony marked a special occasion, as the date 8/2/24, “Kobe and Gigi Day” holds significance for the Bryant family, representing Kobe’s jersey numbers (8 and 24) and Gianna’s jersey number (2).
This is the second statue to be unveiled, with a third one planned for a later date, which will feature Kobe Bryant in his signature No. 24 jersey. The first statue was a nine-foot, 4,000-pound bronze memorial featuring Bryant pointing toward the sky, a pose he made famous after his 81-point game in 2006.
Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as one of the most memorable players in Los Angeles Lakers history. During his 20-year career, he accumulated numerous accolades, including 33,643 points, five championships, and a regular season MVP award.
The statue, which had been earlier reported, serves as a fitting tribute to Bryant’s legacy, which extends beyond his playing career. He was a mentor to several NBA players and an advocate for women’s basketball and the WNBA.
Fans react to new LA Lakers Kobe Bryant and Gigi statue
The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a new statue featuring Black Mamba and his daughter Gianna sitting on a bench together, referencing their iconic pose from their last Lakers game in December 2019.
The statue has gone viral on social media, with fans expressing emotions and memories of the tragic loss of the two Lakers legends. Here are some of the reactions:
Simple yet perfect.
— MindlessMingle (@thoughtlesstale) August 2, 2024
this is so incredible, still doesn’t feel real.. 😢
— Aaron Maas (@RonnyNextLevel) August 2, 2024
The statue is a fitting tribute to Kobe and Gianna’s bond and legacy, recognizing Gigi’s potential as a basketball player. As expected fans expressed gratitude to the Lakers for honoring Gianna’s memory.
