Kobe Bryant's Impact and Gigi's Talent Sparked a New Era of WNBA Fandom
Written By: Jackie Rae
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded on April 24, 1996, as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA). The first WNBA season began on June 21, 1997, and since the very first tipoff, the league has struggled to be truly embraced by sports fans.
Although the league is seeing an influx of fandom thanks to players like Angle Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Caitlin Clark, the first spike in fandom came when legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant not only took an interest in the league but also began coaching his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, known as Gigi, for her WNBA takeover.
Kobe's influence on Gigi's basketball journey was profound. From an early age, Gigi showed a keen interest in basketball, often seen courtside with her father at NBA games. Kobe embraced her enthusiasm, recognizing not just a father-daughter bonding opportunity, but also the chance to mold a future star. He was her coach, mentor, and biggest cheerleader, infusing her training with the same "Mamba Mentality" that defined his own career.
After retiring in 2016, Kobe reignited his love for basketball by bringing the lessons he learned to his daughter, Gigi. Her commitment to basketball mirrored Kobe's dedication; she spent countless hours in the gym, honing her skills under her father's watchful eye, and she took to it like she was born to do it. WNBA fans across the country were in awe of her fundamentals, and each highlight reel seemed to show another evolution in her game.
In 2018, while on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Kobe's love for his daughter and the game was profound as he said, "This kid, man! The best thing that happens is when we go out, and fans come up to me, and she'll be standing next to me, and they'll be like: 'You've got to have a boy. You and [wife Vanessa] have got to have a boy, someone to carry on the tradition, the legacy.' And she's like, 'Oh, I got this."
And she did. Her presence at WNBA games was a joy to watch as she would break down plays with her father while they sat courtside. The orange WNBA hoodies became popular right after Kobe and Gigi wore them to a game, and commentators started talking about the future of the WNBA with Gigi at the helm.
Kobe's presence with his daughter was different from the photo opp we are accustomed to seeing now. Fame was always secondary to the love he clearly had for his daughter. Second came the time they loved spending together, and then came the love for the game. Under Kobe's mentorship, Gigi's game flourished. She became a standout player at her middle school, and her performances at various youth tournaments began to attract attention.
Gigi played with a confidence and flair that her father unmistakably influenced. She had a keen sense of the game, displaying a combination of agility, skill, and basketball intelligence that set her apart from her peers.
Kobe, also known as the Black Mamba, saw so much of himself in Gigi that he trademarked her nickname, "Mambacita," truly making her his namesake. Kobe envisioned a bright future for Gigi in the sport, often speaking about her potential to play college basketball and eventually join the WNBA. Kobe's support was not just about Gigi's individual success; he aimed to elevate women's basketball as a whole, using his platform to bring more visibility and respect to the sport.
Tragedy prevents us from ever knowing how far Kobe's "Mambacita" protégé would go or how high she would elevate women's basketball. Nonetheless, from the moment he played his first game in the NBA on November 3, 1996, to his passing in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, Kobe has been an inspiration to fans across the world.
Most importantly, he was a true inspiration on what it means to be a "Girl Dad."