The WNBA honored the lives of Gianna Bryant and her two teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, Friday night by selecting the three young athletes as "honorary draft picks", months after they lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash.
Before the start of the draft, Engelbert honored Gianna Bryant, Altobelli and Chester by announcing each of the players as jerseys were shown on the screen with their last names on them.
It's only fitting that on Friday - almost three months after he and eight others died in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles - that Bryant's legacy was front and center during the WNBA draft.
Before announcing that OR star Sabrina Ionescu had been selected by the New York Liberty with the No. 1 overall pick, Engelbert had three other draft picks to announce first. After the draft, Vanessa Bryant thanked the organization, saying that it was an honor and that it would have made Gigi's dreams come true. She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, just like her daddy.
"Work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba mentality". "Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA - this is his sweatshirt", she added, referencing the orange hoodie she donned.
"I want to congratulate all this year's draft picks, so congratulations", she continued.
The 2020 WNBA draft was livestreamed on Friday night, showcasing the most impressive talent that will be making their way onto the court next season. Kobe and Gianna were frequently spotted at WNBA, NBA and college games. "Mommy's proud and happy for you mamacita!" On the same day, Gianna's grieving mother, Vanessa, took to Instagram to share the logo and promote the WNBA Draft Pick.
The WNBA and Bryant family will announce the first recipient of the award during the 2021 NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.
Gianna's special honors come four days after Mamba Day, the April 13 anniversary of Kobe's final National Basketball Association game in 2016.
"My husband worked his ass off for 20 years". He wanted to be there for every single milestone and special moment in our girls' lives. "This is just senseless".
