Vanessa Bryant Debuts ‘Extra Special’ Statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Crypto.com Arena
On August 2, 2024, an emotional and heartfelt moment unfolded outside Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena as Vanessa Bryant unveiled a powerful new statue honoring her late husband, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and their beloved daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant. The unveiling, which drew family, friends, basketball fans, and members of the Lakers organization, served as a tribute to a legacy of greatness, love, and inspiration.
The bronze statue depicts Kobe and Gianna walking side by side—Kobe in his Lakers uniform, gently placing his hand on Gianna’s back, while Gianna, also in uniform, looks up at her father with admiration. The pair are shown mid-stride, symbolizing their journey together in life and their shared passion for basketball. Gianna, who had dreams of playing for the WNBA, was just 13 years old when she tragically passed away alongside her father and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
Vanessa Bryant, who has steadfastly preserved the memory of her husband and daughter since the tragedy, described the moment as “extra special.” In her speech during the unveiling ceremony, she said:
> “This statue represents Kobe as the fierce competitor and loving father that we all knew, and Gigi as the passionate, determined young athlete she was becoming. It stands here not just to remember what we lost, but to celebrate what they stood for.”
The statue was commissioned by the Lakers organization in collaboration with the Bryant family, and crafted by renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, known for her sports tributes. Standing nearly 12 feet tall, the sculpture is mounted on a black granite base that bears the inscription:
“Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.”
Beneath that are the names of all nine victims of the 2020 crash: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan. The inclusion of all the names was especially meaningful to Vanessa, who said during the ceremony,
> “We want everyone to be remembered—not just Kobe and Gigi. They were all loved and are still deeply missed.”
The unveiling comes after years of public tributes to Kobe Bryant, including murals, scholarships, and youth sports initiatives in his name. However, this is the first permanent statue to honor both Kobe and Gianna together. The choice of Crypto.com Arena—formerly Staples Center—is significant, as it was Kobe’s home court for his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers.
Fans who gathered for the event, many wearing Kobe and Gigi jerseys, were moved to tears. Some left flowers, others signed basketballs or placed handwritten notes near the base of the statue. Many said the sculpture felt like a place of pilgrimage—a permanent home where the Bryant legacy will be honored for generations.
In a poignant moment to close the ceremony, Vanessa and her three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, posed beside the statue, symbolizing the resilience and strength of the Bryant family. Vanessa added,
> “Kobe and Gigi inspired us all to be better—better parents, teammates, dreamers. This statue is a reminder of their light, and that light will never go out.”
As the sun set behind the arena, casting a golden glow on the statue, it was clear this was more than a memorial—it was a symbol of endu
ring love, family, and legacy.