Unfinished Legacy: Kobe Bryant and His Support of Women’s Basketball
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of African American Studies
Volume
25
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
Publication Date
5-25-2021
First Page
312
Last Page
323
Abstract
Kobe Bryant’s legacy was left unfinished when a January 26, 2020, helicopter crash claimed his life, his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, six of their friends, and the pilot (Fenno, 2020). While Kobe Bryant was known worldwide as one of the all-time greatest men’s basketball players and a five-time NBA Champion, he was also on his way to becoming the greatest male ambassador to women’s basketball the world has ever known—which prompted the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to introduce the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award (“WNBA Introduces,” 2020). This article examines Kobe Bryant’s connections with women’s basketball players and women’s basketball coaches and administrators, plus his parenting of Gianna Bryant. These considerations lead to a contemplation of Kobe Bryant’s unfinished women’s basketball legacy.
Recommended Citation
Hanna, C., Morton, J.T. Unfinished Legacy: Kobe Bryant and His Support of Women’s Basketball. J Afr Am St 25, 312–323 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-021-09522-w