Vanessa Bryant shares tearjerking photo of Kobe and Gigi on NBA title anniversary

The widow of the NBA legend honors her late husband and daughter on the 16-year anniversary of his fourth championship.
Kobe Bryant (left), wife Vanessa Bryant (right) on the Los Angeles Lakers championship parade on Figueroa Street.
Kobe Bryant (left), wife Vanessa Bryant (right) on the Los Angeles Lakers championship parade on Figueroa Street. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

16 years ago from today, June 14, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA Finals in five games. It was Kobe’s fourth overall title. On Saturday, his widow Vanessa Bryant shared Kobe’s special moment after that victory with daughter Gianna “Gigi” in a tearjerking photo.

With the death of Kobe and Gigi in the 2020 helicopter crash, Vanessa was left with their three daughters and has done an amazing job raising her children and working hard to keep her husband’s legacy alive.

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The 43-year-old Vanessa was just there to share a big moment with oldest daughter Natalia, 22, who graduated from the University of Southern California last month where she had a big tribute to dad on her fit. Vanessa also just got back from a trip to New York with the girls where they watched Sabrina Ionescu — who Kobe and Gigi grew close to — play for the New York Liberty.

The Bryant family
The Bryant family | Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

She’s also working hard to promote his Nike sneakers like the perfect Kobe 6 “Mambacita” editions to honor their daughter, as well as some sweet Kobe 6 kicks with a Disney-inspired color she rocked on Saturday.

Not to mention, Vanessa keeps Kobe’s legend alive by sharing his big Lakers moments like a video 16 years ago when he was getting ready to celebrate his fourth title vs. the Magic.

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Kobe
Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

And then him kissing daughter Gigi after winning it all.

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Kobe and Gigi
Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

Such an iconic photo, and heartbreaking at the same time to think they are gone.

Kobe would win Finals MVP in the series, averaging 32.4 points and 7.4 assists. He’d go on the next year to win his fifth and final title — and second Finals MVP — over the hated Boston Celtics in an epic 7-game series.

Vanessa would later post this one as well with Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, and her with Kobe holding the MVP trophy.

Kobe with Gigi, Natalia, and Vanessa
Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

Thanks Vanessa for sharing and keeping these memories alive.

Kob
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

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Matt Ryan
MATT RYAN

Matt Ryan is a dedicated sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in digital and linear media. After receiving a Masters in Journalism from USC, he’s worked for Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports Media Group, and Bally Sports, while holding various leadership roles along the way.