It’s a bittersweet day. Gianna “Gigi” Bryant would have celebrated her 14th birthday today. Gigi passed away on January 26th in a helicopter crash with her father basketball great Kobe Bryant and 7 additional people.
Gigi followed in her father’s footsteps and loved basketball. Her dream of becoming a professional player came true in April when she was selected as an honorary draft pick in the 2020 WNBA draft.
Happy Birthday Gigi! R.I.P.
Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Lakers
ShareLOS ANGELES - APRIL 12: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers kisses daughter Gianna following the game with the Memphis Grizzlies on April 12, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 92-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
NBA Finals Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers v Orlando Magic
ShareORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals Championship Victory Parade
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 holds daughter Gianna and waves to the crowd from the top of a double decker bus at the start of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship victory parade outside the Staples Center on June 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. On left is Los ngeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and behind Bryant is wife Vanessa and older daughter Natalia. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant Hand And Footprint Ceremony At Grauman’s Chinese Theater
ShareHOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 19: NBA player Kobe Bryant kisses his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant at his hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 19, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
NBA All-Star Game 2016
ShareTORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Western Conference warms up with daughter Gianna Bryant during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
China v United States
ShareSAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 10: NBA Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant stands on the sideline with his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant on his shoulders prior to the start of the game against the United States and China during an international firendly match at Qualcomm Stadium on April 10, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)
Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships
ShareIRVINE, CA - JULY 26: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant watch during day 2 of the Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships at the Woollett Aquatics Center on July 26, 2018 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
WNBA All-Star Game 2019
ShareLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 27: Gianna Bryant and her father, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, attend the WNBA All-Star Game 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
WNBA All-Star Game 2019
ShareLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 27: Gianna Bryant and her father, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, attend the WNBA All-Star Game 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)