Girls Who Were To Play Against Gianna Bryant On The Day Of Helicopter Accident Want to Honor Her in Basketball

Jan 30, 2020 by apost team

On January 26, Fresno girls’ basketball team Lady Heat was looking forward to going against Gianna Bryant at Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in the Amateur Athletic Union tournament. 

As fate would have it, however, that game would never happen. 

On the morning of January 26, 2020, the 18-time All-Star and five-time N.B.A. champion, Kobe Bryant, passed away in a devastating helicopter crash. Tragically, the basketball legend’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also among the nine people on board who lost their lives.

On the day of the crash, the Lady Heats were preparing to go up against Gianna Bryant at the Amateur Athletic Union tournament.

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The girls told the Inside Edition that they were looking forward to going up against Gianna as well as meeting her legendary father, Kobe. 

“My heart just sunk when I heard that him and his daughter had crashed. I couldn’t wait to play them,” one of the Lady Heat’s told the publication.

In the wake of their tragic deaths, the basketball team made a joint statement to honor the two Bryants. 

"Kobe and Gianna meant a lot to our program. Our thoughts are with the Bryant family," the team said. "Mamba Mentality will live on forever, but they are deeply missed."

The team also took to their Instagram account to write some kind words about Gianna. 

“Truly a legend,” they wrote. “You were motivation to us all! Amazing on and off the court! May your spirit live on through all of the Boys and Girls that you inspired! It would have been an honor to play against GIGI and the rest of team mamba, and also coach against the GOAT himself today! But God had other plans. RIH mamba and mambacita”

Despite the sad circumstances, the Lady Heats are determined to honor Gianna by doing what they love: by playing basketball. 

“I am going to go hard for Gigi,” one player said. “I’m going to go hard for her every time I hit the court.”

“Now when I play I just want this to be dedicated to him and how he changed girls basketball,” said another.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Bryant family in these trying times.