WNBA makes Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester honorary draft picks

by Lula Guzman | April 19, 2020 | 00:41

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".

Related Articles

  • Early signs are encouraging for potential coronavirus drug

    The FTSE 100 was up 2.6% at 5777 at 09:28 BST and USA stock futures rose ahead of markets opening. The trial is of the drug Remdesivir, an antiviral developed by California-based Gilead Sciences.
    The Saved by the Bell reboot trailer have been released

    The Saved by the Bell reboot trailer have been released

    The streaming service officially launches on July 15 , but is now available for Comcast Xfinity TV and Flex broadband customers. The teaser was released by Peacock , NBCUniversal's streaming service, on Wednesday featuring original cast members A.C.
    Trump threatens to adjourn Congress to clear way for recess appointments

    Trump threatens to adjourn Congress to clear way for recess appointments

    The US president threatened on Wednesday to adjourn the federal legislature in order push through a series of recess appointments. Every week they put up roadblocks, says President Trump at the daily briefing of the White House coronavirus task force.
  • New COVID-19 death reported in Jackson County, 12 more cases confirmed

    New COVID-19 death reported in Jackson County, 12 more cases confirmed

    Statewide, the department confirmed over 1,100 cases for the second straight day, bringing its total to over 26,000. The Central District Health Department reported late Wednesday afternoon that Hall County had 278 COVID-19 cases.
    USA accuses Iran of 'dangerous' harassment of U.S. warships

    USA accuses Iran of 'dangerous' harassment of U.S. warships

    Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet at close range and high speeds - with one passing within just 10 meters of a Coast Guard cutter. A group of 11 ships with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S.
    Ex-president Obama endorses Biden in Democratic bid for White House

    Ex-president Obama endorses Biden in Democratic bid for White House

    He went on to say, "I believe that it's irresponsible for anybody to say, 'Well, I disagree with Joe Biden - I disagree with Joe Biden! - and therefore I'm not going to be involved'".

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Says He Won't Fight With Trump

    Skelos has been serving a four-year and three-month prison term after he was convicted of extortion, wire fraud and bribery. Mr Cuomo's comments came as NY reported 778 new virus fatalities in 24 hours, pushing the total near 11,000.
    Ontario reports 514 more COVID-19 cases today and 9000 tests processed

    Ontario reports 514 more COVID-19 cases today and 9000 tests processed

    That measure, however, won't take effect until April 22, leading to criticism it is not being put in place quickly enough. That brings the province to a total of 8,961 cases, including 423 deaths and almost 4,200 cases that have been resolved.

    TCL won't give us BlackBerry smartphones after August 2020

    BlackBerry devices, apart from its keyboard features, had been lauded for the business enterprise's well-seemed security features. The press release said beginning August 31, 2020, TCL Communication will no longer sell BlackBerry-branded mobile devices.
  • Moderna receives $483 million BARDA award for COVID

    Moderna receives $483 million BARDA award for COVID

    Harris told a briefing in Geneva that " We really shouldn't be expecting to see the vaccine at least for 12 months or longer ". The DNA vaccine candidate, named INO-4800, has shown promising results from preclinical studies performed on animals.
    Moderna Gets $483M BARDA Deal For COVID-19 Vaccine

    Moderna Gets $483M BARDA Deal For COVID-19 Vaccine

    Experts cautioned that it generally takes 18 months to fully develop a vaccine that can be made available to millions of people. Another candidate, made by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, also in United States , was given to the first adult volunteers this week.
    Trump on Eve of Reopening Plan

    Trump on Eve of Reopening Plan

    New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo, another Democrat, also dismissed Trump's "legal analysis". The president's announcement came after days of confusion about the makeup of what Mr.