Vanessa Bryant in front of the L.A. mural of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Image: courtesy of BODYARMOR.
Since the tragic passing of her husband Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna and the other families in the helicopter crash, Vanessa Bryant has been working tirelessly to ensure their legacy lives on forever. Last week, she, along with BODYARMOR and the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (MMSF) unveiled a newly refurbished basketball court in Compton’s Wilson Park.
In honor of her late husband and daughter, the court was also a place where Kobe played and practiced as a young basketball phenom. The court was renovated in an aim to provide a safe space for young athletes in the area as they, too, nurture and fuel their passions in sports—a mission BODYARMOR and MMSF has long championed.
LA was a SPECIAL ONE 💜🏀💛 Our latest renovated court unveil in partnership with the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation was right here in Kobe’s hometown 📍 A BIG thank you to Vanessa Bryant, @TheTraeYoung and @LisaLeslie for joining us on this memorable day! #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/GgPRVx9A9v
— BODYARMOR (@DrinkBODYARMOR) June 17, 2023
“Los Angeles, thank you for showing up and showing out for our exclusive court reopening at Wilson Park in honor of Kobe and Gianna,” Vanessa Bryant writes in an Instagram post. “Special thanks to artist @sloe_motions for the incredible mural, and Lisa Leslie and Trae Young for being a big part of this special occasion.”
“To our donors— you made this happen,” she continues. “Every single dollar you’ve donated and merch you’ve purchased from the foundation goes toward our mission of creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys & girls in sports.”
The special unveiling event also featured a ribbon cutting ceremony as well as a basketball clinic with a local youth group in partnership with the City of Compton’s Youth Activities League (YAL).
“Many of the youth in Compton go on to become some of the greatest in their professional fields-including sports,” said the city’s mayor Emma Sharif. “We are extremely grateful to know that these upgraded basketball facilities will help empower the next generation of athletes to strive for greatness and continue the legacy of Compton.”