Gianna Bryant’s mother and older sister shared sweet messages Sunday on what would have been her 16th birthday.
“Happy sweet sixteen my dearest gigi!” Natalia Bryant, 19, shared on Instagram, along with a photo of the siblings. “I love you to the moon and back forever & always.”
Gianna’s mother, Vanessa Bryant, posted a minute-long video featuring sketches of her daughter, who was a youth basketball player, on the court. The clip was animated similarly to the short film “Dear Basketball,” for which Kobe Bryant won an Oscar in 2018.
“You came from greatness,” Vanessa intones in the video. “But it was never about what you inherited. It was about what you gave to others. When someone stands up for gender equality, I see you fighting alongside them. And every time someone plays their hardest, I know that’s you on the court.”
Vanessa posted the video on Instagram with the caption, “Love you always! Happy Birthday, Gianna.”
Gianna, whose nickname was Gigi, and father Kobe Bryant were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., in January 2020. Gianna was 13. Kobe was 41.
Kobe, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, had four daughters with Vanessa, whom he married in 2001.
