On August 3, 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Bryant family unveiled a new bronze statue outside Crypto.com Arena to honor the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Maria-Onor’e Bryant. The statue, which is situated at the 11th Street Entrance near Chick Hearn Court, is a poignant tribute to the legacy of the five-time NBA champion and his special bond with his daughters, particularly Gianna.
The statue captures a moment of Kobe sitting courtside with Gianna, symbolizing their close relationship and shared love for basketball. The design of the statue is particularly meaningful, as it includes elements that reflect both Kobe’s and Gianna’s personalities and their impact on the sport. Gianna is depicted with a radiant smile, while Kobe is shown kissing the top of her head, wearing a Philadelphia Eagles beanie gifted by Gianna and a WNBA hoodie. This scene merges two iconic courtside moments shared between Kobe and Gianna, capturing the essence of their relationship.
The statue was designed by Karon Davis and created by the artists of Rotblatt Amrany Studio. It features Kobe with his arm around Gianna, with angel wings behind them, symbolizing their enduring legacy. The surrounding area is designed to resemble an Italianate garden, a nod to Kobe’s childhood in Italy, and is adorned with purple and gold flowers representing the Lakers’ colors. Additionally, engraved butterflies made of purple onyx and golden vein onyx border the flowers, symbolizing transformation and hope.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, spoke at the intimate unveiling ceremony attended by close friends and family. She highlighted the statue’s significance and the deeper message it conveys about the importance of supporting women and girls in sports. Vanessa emphasized Kobe’s role as a “Girl Dad” and his commitment to challenging and changing perceptions of women’s sports.
“Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl,”
Vanessa Bryant said at the unveiling ceremony
She also spoke about the importance of giving young girls the support and confidence to pursue their dreams in sports, emphasizing that the statue serves as a powerful representation of the movement toward equality in sports, a cause that was dear to the Bryant family.
“Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports” and “Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports,” accompanied by the Mamba and Mambacita logo
The Kobe and Gianna Bryant plaque at the base of the statue reads
“Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She’s got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.”
Kobe Bryant’s words inscribed beneath his and his daughter’s names on their statue
The installation date, 8/2/24, holds special significance as it honors the numbers Kobe wore during his illustrious career with the Lakers (8 and 24), and the number 2, which Gianna wore while playing competitive youth basketball. The statue will be open to the public starting on Saturday, August 3, at 9 a.m. PT.
This is not the first statue of Kobe Bryant to be unveiled at the arena. Earlier this year, the Lakers revealed a statue of the 18-time NBA All-Star outside Star Plaza, making him the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a statue. However, this new statue is unique in its representation of Kobe not just as a basketball legend, but as a father and advocate for women in sports.
The tribute is a lasting reminder of the impact Kobe and Gianna had on the world, particularly in promoting the importance of equality and support for women in sports. The statue stands as a beacon of inspiration, urging everyone to continue Kobe’s legacy by nurturing and empowering the next generation of female athletes.
