Three years after his tragic death in a helicopter crash, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s legacy lives on.
Everyone is familiar with his on-the-court accomplishments: five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, 15 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Defensive team nods, 18 All-Star game appearances and four All-Star game MVPs.
After he retired in 2016, he spent the rest of his days being a coach and mentor to others, including some NBA stars, but what was perhaps most touching was his advocacy for women’s and kids’ sports.
During the 2023 NBA All-Star game on Sunday, Pau Gasol, his championship teammate, was given the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award.
WNBA Commissioner @CathyEngelbert and Vanessa Bryant present @NBA legend @paugasol with the 2023 Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award 🧡 pic.twitter.com/fep1Ozz7fi
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 20, 2023
Shortly after Bryant’s passing, the NBA renamed the All-Star game MVP award after him in order to honor his memory.