A new statue honoring Kobe Bryant has been unveiled, celebrating his cherished relationship with his daughter and his role as a devoted “Girl Dad.”
This latest statue captures a scene from December 29, 2019, showing Kobe and Gianna Bryant at a Lakers game against the Dallas Mavericks. Kobe is depicted wearing an Eagles beanie, a Christmas gift from Gianna, along with an orange WNBA sweatshirt. The statue reflects their interaction as they watched the game together.
Both Kobe and Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on January 26, 2020. The statue, the second of three planned tributes, is placed near the 11th Street entrance of Crypto.com Arena. It celebrates Kobe’s enthusiastic involvement in coaching his daughter’s youth basketball team after his retirement.
A plaque accompanying the statue features a quote from Kobe: “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.” The inscription is signed “Kobe Bryant, Most Valuable Girl Dad” and includes the Mambacita logo. It also describes Gianna as an “inspirational icon for girls in sports” and Kobe as a “proud supporter of women in sports.”
Designed by Karon Davis and crafted by Rotblatt Amrany Studio, the statue was revealed on August 2, 2024, a date significant for reflecting the numbers 8 and 24 worn by Kobe with the Lakers, as well as the No. 2 jersey Gianna wore at the Mamba Academy.
