Kobe Bryant’s Wife Vanessa Bryant Showers Praise to Sabrina Ionescu Over Insane Touch While Facing Stephen Curry
The gifted WNBA player Sabrina Ionescu recently gave a touching homage to Gigi Bryant, the late daughter of basketball icon Kobe Bryant, in a moving show of solidarity and remembering. Ionescu wore a bracelet with Gigi’s name etched during an unforgettable matchup with NBA great Stephen Curry.
It was a heartfelt gesture that touched fans’ hearts and attracted the attention of Gigi’s mother, Vanessa Bryant. Vanessa posted on Instagram to show her appreciation and love for Ionescu, reaffirming the tight relationship between the Bryant family and the WNBA star.
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Kobe Bryant and Sabrina Ionescu grew close because they had the same goal of making women’s basketball the best in the world. Kobe served as Ionescu’s mentor while she was a college student, and she has been crucial in advancing this idea. Ionescu demonstrated genuine enthusiasm and sincerity in the face of fierce competition from Curry, highlighting the need to rewrite the history of women’s basketball.
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Vanessa Bryant’s message to Sabrina Ionescu
Ionescu’s close relationship with the Bryant family dates back to the Oregon Ducks’ 2019 championship win, which Gigi, Kobe, and her teammates saw from courtside. After their encounter, Ionescu agreed to serve as Gigi’s coach for the 2019–20 season, providing guidance and support to his club, the Mamba Ballers.
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Ionescu marveled at Gigi’s skill set, which she inherited from her father, watching her play style. She described how Gigi would grin off the court but would turn into a hard competitor during games.
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Ionescu has been greatly impacted by Gigi’s and Kobe’s mentoring. The WNBA player acknowledges Gigi as the future of women’s basketball, saying that although Gigi personified the future, Kobe was acutely aware of the fact that she represented the present. The Bryant family’s affection for Ionescu is further cemented by her participation in Kobe’s celebration of life event at the Staples Center.
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Even after losing to Curry, Ionescu is still excited about starting a new chapter in the history of women’s basketball. The WNBA standout who embodies Kobe and Gigi’s spirit on the court and beyond is surely gazing down proudly on the mentoring, friendship, and shared dreams that have left a lasting legacy.
