Gianna Bryant’s teammates were among the thousands who gathered at the Staples Center on Friday as the Lakersplayed their first gamefollowing thetragic helicopter crashthat claimed the lives of the young basketball player, her fatherKobe Bryant, and seven others.
The 13-year-old’s Mamba Academy Teammates sat in the front row of the game, which the Lakers ultimately lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 127-117.
In addition to Gianna, the crash also claimed the lives ofAlyssa AltobelliandPayton Chester, both 13, who were also teammates of Gianna’s, as well asChristina Mauser, an assistant coach for the team.
Among theemotional tributesthat took place ahead of the game, Gianna’s and her father’s jerseys were illuminated at the stadium and two courtside seats were left open in honor of the pair. Each of their jerseys were laid on the seats along with bouquets of red roses.
Friday’s tributes also included moving performances fromUsher, cellist Ben Hong of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and a heartfelt speech fromLeBron James.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
As the Lakers took to the court, Vanessa Bryant, who was not in attendance,remembered her “angels.”
“There is no #24 without #2,” Vanessa, 37,wroteon Instagram alongside a photo of her daughter and husband’s jerseys on their seats at the game, adding: “❤️#GirlDaddy #DaddysGirl #MyBabies ❤️❤️ #OurAngels.”
Shortly after the game began, she also shared a photo of a purple and gold sunset, a nod to the team’s colors.
Courtside seats with Gianna’s and Kobe Bryant’s jerseys.Harry How/Getty Images
Vanessaspoke out for the first timesince the crash on Wednesday, telling fans that she is “devastated” over the loss of her “adoring” husband, 41, and their “beautiful, sweet” daughter Gianna.
Vanessa also revealed that a fund for the families of the seven other victims had been set up through the Mamba Sports Foundation called theMambaOnThree Fund.
Kobe and Vanessa Bryant with their daughters.Vanessa Bryant Instagram
Ahead of Friday’s game, the NBA announced that they would bemaking a $100,000 donationto the foundation in partnership with the National Basketball Players Association.
The NBA also announced that thejerseys for the 2020 All-Star Gamewill feature a special tribute to all of victims of the Jan. 26 helicopter crash.
Both teams will wear patches with nine stars to represent all who were lost in the crash.
If you would like to help the families of the victims of the crash, consider donating to theMambaonThree Fund. Contributions to theMamba Sports Foundationwill help support youth sports.
source: people.com
