Thousands of fans on Monday poured into the Staples Center to remember the lives of late NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a helicopter crash last month in an emotional ceremony that spoke to the legendary Laker’s outsize impact on Los Angeles, the basketball world and the culture at large.
His wife, Vanessa, spoke publicly for the first time since her husband and daughter’s death. She fought back tears when speaking about the loss of her young daughter.
“I won’t be able to tell her how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day. I’ll never get to see my baby girl walk down the aisle, have a father-daughter dance with her daddy, have babies of her own,” she said.
She also remembered Kobe, who she was married to for 20 years. “Babe, you take care of our Gigi, and I got Noni, BB, and Coco. We are still the best team. We love and miss you, booboo and Gigi. May you both rest in peace, and have fun in heaven until we meet again.”
Thousands of fans attended the sold-out public memorial, which included performances from Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera. The Lakers said proceeds from ticket sales would be donated to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
