Vanessa Bryant celebrates what would have been daughter Gigi’s 8th grade graduation… four months after her tragic death
Vanessa Bryant honored what would have been daughter Gigi’s 8th grade graduation with a touching tribute on Friday.
The widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant marked the date but sharing a photo of a white flower lea surrounding a gilded version of Gigi’s full name – Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant.
Speaking to the heavens, the still-grieving mother wrote: ‘Congratulations on your 8th grade graduation Gigi. I love you forever and always. I’m so proud of you. ❤️, Mommy #classof2020.’
Celebrating her girl: Vanessa Bryant honored what would have been daughter Gigi’s 8th grade graduation with a touching tribute on Friday
Gianna would have graduated from Newport Beach’s exclusive Harbor Day School.
During her time there she was involved in an array of extracurricular activities. She was a member of the student council and a member of the school basketball team, according to People.
Gigi and Vanessa’s husband Kobe died on January 26th in a helicopter crash. She was only 13-years-old.
Six other people, several of whom were Gianna’s young club basketball teammates, also died in the crash.
In loving memory: The widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant marked the date but sharing a photo of a white flower lea surrounding a gilded version of Gigi’s full name – Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant
RIP: Gigi and Vanessa’s husband Kobe died on January 26th in a helicopter crash. She was only 13-years-old
Hard worker: Gianna (above in 2015 with mom) would have graduated from Newport Beach’s exclusive Harbor Day School, where she was a member of the student council and a star player on the school basketball team
Harbor Day School celebrated Gigi’s memory by retiring her jersey number – #2 – just a day after the tragic crash.
Remembering her passion and drive to ‘make things better,’ her student council faculty advisor said: ‘In the 7th grade when she said she’d run for student council I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to hear and see what she would do to help elevate our student population.
‘We gave her one assignment and she ran with it as quickly and as eagerly as anyone I’ve ever seen. Gianna was an amazing leader in our student council. We will always remember her will to make things better and to strive for excellence.’
Vanessa shared video and images of the ceremony to her social media, writing: ‘My Gigi. I love you! I miss you. You’ve taught us all that no act of kindness is ever too small. Mommy is still and will ALWAYS be so proud of you mamacita. ❤️#2.’
In loving memory: Harbor Day School celebrated Gigi’s memory by retiring her jersey number – #2 – just a day after the tragic crash
All star! Gigi had ambitions to attend University Of Connecticut, which is home to the most successful women’s basketball program in the nation, before moving on to the WNBA. Above she’s seen training with Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty
Gigi had ambitions to attend University Of Connecticut, which is home to the most successful women’s basketball program in the nation, before moving on to the WNBA.
The UConn Huskies remembered Gianna in their own special way after January’s crash, crafting a special jersey in her honor.
Sharing a photo of the jersey with a bouquet of flowers, the team wrote: ‘Mambacita is forever a Husky.’
Another photo of Kobe and his girl was paired with the caption: ‘Kobe and Gianna meant a lot to our program. Our thoughts are with the Bryant family. Mamba Mentality will live on forever, but they are deeply missed.’
In April Gianna was named an honorary draftee during this year’s WNBA virtual draft, along with teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, who also passed in the crash.
Future snuffed out: Gigi had ambitions to attend University Of Connecticut, who created an honorary Huskies jersey for the talent athlete following her untimely death