Princewill Pius
Kobe Bryant touched many lives on and off the basketball court, especially where it concerned WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and Sabrina Ionescu. Kobe, who was a champion of women’s basketball, became even more invested in the WNBA when Gianna Bryant began to show great promise as a future member of the league. This wasn’t lost on either player, as Oregon Ducks champion Ionescu said in her heartfelt speech, “I ask each of you, every Girl Dad, every human here with a voice, a platform and a heart, to not let his sun set. Shine for us, for our sport where he once did. Invest in us with the same passion and drive and respect and love as he did his own daughter.”
Four-time Olympic medalist Taurasi made a joke about how skilled Gianna was, telling the crowd, “Her skill was undeniable at an early age. I mean, who has a turn-away fadeaway jumper at 11? LeBron barely got it today.” She also commended the teen’s grit, adding, “Gigi in many ways represents the future of women’s basketball, a future where a young woman aspires to play in the WNBA. She represents a time where a young girl doesn’t need permission to play, her skill would command respect.”
Simply put, it’s incredibly powerful that Gigi’s role models were able to speak at her memorial service.
Written by: Nicki
