LOOK: Lakers unveil 'Girl Dad' statue honoring Kobe Bryant, daughter Gigi
The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a new statue honoring the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.
An intimate ceremony was held outside the stadium attended by Kobe's wife Vanessa Bryant, and their friends and family.
The statue depicts two iconic courtside moments of the late basketball players. Gigi's sculpture dons a black jacket and yellow pants, while Kobe's wears the Philadelphia Eagles beanie that his late daughter gifted him for Christmas and an orange WNBA hoodie.
In the foreground of the statue is a plaque that reads "Giana Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports" and "Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports."
It also includes a quote from Kobe talking about his late daughter. "Gianna is a beast. She's got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I'm a girl dad."
"Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl," Vanessa said at the ceremony.
"In honor of Kobe and Gigi, I ask you this: give young girls your time. Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can exceed that, because they can, they have and they will. Iron sharpens iron. Reassure that confidence and see how much they thrive," she added.
The installation date of the sculpture also marks significance as August 2, 2024 (8/2/24) honors the two numbers Kobe wore during his Lakers career, according to the NBA.
Earlier in the year, the Lakers also unveiled a Kobe statue outside Crypto.com Arena at Star Plaza.
Kobe and Gianna died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. They were 41 and 13, respectively. The two are survived by the Lakers player's wife Vanessa and daughters Bianca, Capri, and Natalia.