Vanessa Bryant sent an emotional message to the UConn women’s basketball team on Sunday after the Huskies’ 82-59 rout of South Carolina in the NCAA national championship game.
The widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant — who, along with the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2020, that also killed seven others — said Gigi would’ve “loved” to be in Tampa to see the Huskies bring the title back to Storrs, Conn., after nearly a decade.
“Gigi would’ve loved being there with you,” Vanessa wrote on her Instagram Story, including a snapshot of UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and his team.
She included a broken heart emoji and a red heart emoji.
Bryant’s post also featured the quote, “When you think you can’t, UCONN,” which Gigi used in a letter to the team after their 2017 Final Four loss to Mississippi State in overtime that snapped UConn’s record 111-game winning streak.
“Dear Geno and team,”wrote Gigi, a passionate Huskies fan who yearned to play for UConn. “I’m so sorry you lost, but it gives you extra time ot practice and get better before the next one! Just think… WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN’T, UCONN. Love, Gianna Bryant (Gigi).”
Gigi would’ve been a college freshman this year.
In January 2020, the UConn women’s basketball team honored Gigi before one of their games the day after the tragic helicopter crash.
The team put a customized No. 2 jersey (which was Gigi’s number) on one of their bench chairs, along with a bouquet of flowers.
“Mambacita is forever a Husky,” the UConn women’s basketball X account wrote at the time.
Kobe previously said Gigi “is hell bent on UConn,” as seen in a past video that captured Reggie Miller trying to recruit Gigi to UCLA, his alma mater.
Auriemma spoke about his close relationship with Kobe and Gigi at their celebration of life memorial held at Staples Center in February 2020.
Auriemma praised Kobe as a father and recalled seeing him and Gigi sitting courtside at UConn games.
Kobe was open about being a proud “girl dad.”
Vanessa is also a mom to daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri.