Lakers unveil statue in honor of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna: ‘Most Valuable Girl Dad’

The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a second statue of Kobe Bryant, the latest commemorating his daughter Gianna.

The statue, unveiled Friday outside Crypto.com Arena, shows Kobe in a hat and sweatshirt with his arm around a smiling Gianna, with the statue appearing to be modeled after a photo of them sitting together courtside during a Lakers game competition in 2019. surrounded by angel wings.

A plaque below the statue features a quote from Kobe, who is labeled “Most Valuable Girl Dad.”

“Gianna is a beast,” says Kobe’s quote. ‘She’s better than me at her age. She has it. Girls are great. If I could, I would have five more girls. I’m a girl dad.”

8.2.24 – Kobe and Gigi immortalized forever 🦋 pic.twitter.com/WxPDMfEaRq

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 2, 2024

The date of Friday’s reveal was also important, as it fell on August 2, 2024 (08/24/2024). Kobe’s jersey numbers during his illustrious 20-year NBA career with the Lakers were Nos. 8 and 24, while Gianna wore No. 2 on her basketball team.

Kobe, Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020, while traveling to a basketball tournament for Gianna. Two of her teammates, three other parents, an assistant coach and the pilot were all on board.

The Bryant family. Forever a beacon of love, strength and hope 💜 pic.twitter.com/GU71bNzUK9

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 2, 2024

Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, previously said there would be three Kobe statues outside the Crypto.com Arena: one of him wearing No. 8, one wearing No. 24 and one with Gianna. The Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe in jersey No. 8 on February 8.

The team has also honored other legends with a statue in Star Plaza, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, announcer Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West.

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(Photo: Harry Hoe/Getty Images)