Vanessa Bryant Is 'So Proud' That Kobe & Gianna's Legacy Lives on in New Chicago Memorial

It’s been almost three years since Kobe Bryant and 13-year-old daughter Gianna (aka “Gigi”) lost their lives in a helicopter crash, but Vanessa Bryant is making sure her husband and daughter’s contributions to basketball live on. The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation and Body Armour teamed up together to inspire the next generation of athletes in Chicago by renovating several basketball courts in their honor.

Vanessa shared the exciting news with her Instagram followers, writing, “So proud of our first renovated court with @DrinkBODYARMOR in Chicago. More courts and clinics to come!!! #PlayGigisway #MambaForever.” The post also included a video clip showing their names on center court, along with the #PlayGigisWay on the sidelines. The most touching part of the tribute is Kobe’s number “8” and Gigi’s number “2” at each of the free-throw lines. It was a thoughtful and well-planned design for the community courts.

More from SheKnows

• Paulina Porizkova Reminisces About the First Time She Saw Ric Ocasek on the Anniversary of His Death

Vanessa has been active in taking over the projects her husband left behind, even after facing unimaginable grief. “I guess the best way to describe it is that Kobe and Gigi motivate me to keep going,” she told People in 2021. “They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional, and they motivate me in so many different ways.” She understands the enormity of Kobe’s contributions to the game of basketball and the impact Gigi had as a young female athlete — she doesn’t want anyone to forget how special they both were.

Click here to read the full article.

The new courts in Chicago are just the beginning of a huge push to make a difference on a local level when it comes to the game of basketball. Vanessa is “finding the light in darkness” by honoring Kobe and Gigi for years to come.

Before you go, click here to see more celebrity couples who were young when they got married.

Launch Gallery: These Kids Lost Their Celebrity Parents at a Young Age

Best of SheKnows

• 13 Times the Women in the Royal Family Have Worn Queen Elizabeth II's Jewelry

• Photos of the Royal Family at Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Funeral

• All the Best Photos of the Royal Family From the Past 20 Years

Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter.
For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.