Vanessa Bryant honored her late daughter 'Gigi' for her 20th birthday by awarding scholarships to 20 athletes

Vanessa Bryant and Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, honored her late daughter, Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant, who would have celebrated her 20th birthday on May 1st, by giving monetary gifts to others.

Gianna, who tragically passed away in the January 2020 plane crash that also claimed Kobe's life, was only 13 years old at the time of her death. Following in her father's footsteps, Gigi was emerging as an exceptional basketball player during her short life. Before their passing, she and Kobe were frequently seen courtside at Lakers games, where he often instructed her on the intricacies of the game.

Gigi and Kobe. Photo/Instagram@vanessabryant

In memory of her husband and daughter, Vanessa established the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation. This foundation supports young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds and promotes opportunities for young women in sports to develop their athletic skills.

Photo/Instagram

Vanessa has remained very active in humanitarian efforts and athletics through the foundation. In honor of what would have been Gigi’s 20th birthday, she provided 20 teen athletes in the Los Angeles area with scholarships totaling $24,802 from the foundation. She donated all the proceeds from the Mambacita clothing line she launched in dedication to Gigi in 2021 to the foundation as well.

Photo/Instagram@vanessabryant

Additionally, in collaboration with Nike, Vanessa has released several pairs of “Kobe” shoes. Last year, she gifted LSU’s women’s basketball team with the exclusive “Kobe 5 Protros” and notably presented the University of Iowa women’s basketball team with the Kobe 8 "Venice Beach" shoes during March Madness in 2024.

Despite the immense losses, many people question how Vanessa has managed to carry on gracefully after losing both her husband and daughter. Yet, she continues to push forward. During the 2025 Los Angeles fires, the foundation donated 8,000 items of clothing and shoes to children who were displaced by the disaster. In 2025, she partnered with Baby2Baby and Carhartt to provide children with back-to-school essentials, Vanessa expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited to be here today at Baby2Baby’s back-to-school celebration, helping distribute new backpacks, clothing, shoes and school supplies to so many amazing students,” Vanessa said at the event. She continued, “As our city still recovers from the fires, it’s important that we continue to support our community and give children the essentials they need to head into the new school year and make it their best one yet.”

Photo/Instagram@vanessabryant

The world has shown the Bryant family unwavering support, as evidenced by the numerous international murals dedicated to Gigi and Kobe. Philadelphia honored them with a “Dream Court” and mural at Tustin Playground, where Kobe frequently played as a child. Vanessa and Nancy Lieberman Charities unveiled this court in June 2022.

Photo/Instagram@mambamambacitasports

Currently, there are at least 24 extensive murals throughout the Los Angeles area dedicated to Kobe and Gigi. To see an international map of murals, click the link.

Photo/Instagram@vanessabryant

Kobe and Gigi will live on in our hearts forever!

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