Vanessa Bryant is sending a special message to the UConn women’s basketball team amid their triumph this season.
UConn won the national championship Sunday with a big 82-59 victory over defending champion South Carolina. With Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd scoring 24 points each and Paige Bueckers adding another 17, it marked the record-extending 12th national title for UConn as well as their first once since 2016.
In a post to her Instagram Story, Vanessa, the widow of the late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, sent a cool and congratulatory message to UConn.
“Gigi would’ve loved being there with you,” Vanessa wrote. “When you think you can’t, UCONN -Gianna Bryant. Congratulations @genoauriemma @uconnwbb.”
Gianna, the 13-year-old daughter of Kobe and Vanessa who died in a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash along with Kobe and seven others, was a big fan of the UConn women’s program and head coach Geno Auriemma. A young, rising basketball player in her own right, Gianna was expected to commit to UConn for college before her death.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Huskies had a very nice way of honoring Gianna, and they still clearly share a special relationship with the Bryant family.
Five years have now gone by since the tragic crash, and Vanessa continues to work tirelessly to honor the memories of her late husband and daughter. With the UConn women’s basketball team taking home their first national title in nearly a decade, Vanessa is hoping to remind everyone of the unique bond that Gianna shared with their program.
