Vanessa Bryant Reflects on Gigi’s Dreams After UConn’s Championship Win!

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has once again opened up about the life-changing impact of losing both her husband and their teenage daughter, Gianna (Gigi) Bryant, in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020. This time, her heartfelt words were inspired by a recent victory that had personal meaning— the University of Connecticut Huskies’ stunning win at the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship.

A Heartfelt Tribute to Gigi’s Legacy

Following UConn’s thrilling victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA championship final on April 6, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram to express her emotions and reflect on how much Gigi would have loved to be a part of the celebration. The 42-year-old philanthropist reposted UConn’s victory post, adding a special message of her own: “When you think you can’t, UCONN,” followed by “Gianna Bryant” and two heart emojis.

For Vanessa, the win was bittersweet. Gigi, who tragically passed away at the age of 13, had always been a massive fan of the UConn Huskies. Before her untimely death, Gigi had dreamed of playing for the team, a sentiment that UConn honored after the crash by draping her No. 2 jersey on their bench during the championship game. A bouquet of flowers, wrapped in the Huskies’ blue and white team ribbons, was placed beside it, as the team tweeted: “Mambacita is forever a Husky.”

The Tragic Helicopter Crash

On January 26, 2020, Gigi and her father Kobe Bryant, along with seven others, lost their lives in a devastating helicopter crash. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was traveling from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport in Los Angeles when it crashed in Calabasas, California. Alongside Kobe and Gigi, the crash claimed the lives of six other passengers, including basketball coach John Altobelli and the helicopter’s pilot, Ara Zobayan.

At the time of her passing, Gigi was only 13 years old. Despite her youth, she was already a talented basketball player and had shown incredible potential. Gigi had dreams of following in her father’s footsteps, and her love for basketball was undeniable. She had also built a special connection with UConn’s women’s basketball program, a team she admired and aspired to join.

UConn’s Tribute to Gigi Bryant

The UConn Huskies’ relationship with Gigi was not just one-sided. Gigi’s love for the team was reciprocated, and after her death, UConn took steps to honor her memory. During their championship game, the team’s tribute to Gigi with her No. 2 jersey on display symbolized their admiration for the young athlete and her dreams.

Paige Bueckers, one of UConn’s star players, spoke emotionally about Gigi after their victory. She expressed how Gigi would have been the ideal teammate, and how the team felt her presence even during the tournament. Bueckers shared that during the championship, she and her mother had stayed in a room numbered “824” — a tribute to Kobe’s iconic jersey numbers, 8 and 24. The connection was powerful, and Bueckers added, “I feel like a lot of that too is Kobe’s watching over us, Gigi’s watching over us.”

The Lasting Impact on Vanessa Bryant

For Vanessa Bryant, the losses of Kobe and Gigi have had a lasting impact on her personal and professional life. As a mother and wife, she has had to navigate grief and loss in the public eye. But she remains an advocate for her family’s legacy, often using her platform to honor her husband and daughter.

In her recent statement, Vanessa reflects on the constant presence of her loved ones in spirit, even as she faces the overwhelming challenges of raising her other daughters—Natalia, Bianka, and Capri—without Kobe and Gigi. Her emotional messages are a reminder of the strength she’s shown through such unimaginable pain and the love she continues to feel for her family.

Vanessa’s words following UConn’s victory further solidify the deep bond between Gigi and the team. Her message, as well as UConn’s tribute, underscores the impact Gigi’s life had on so many, and the ongoing legacy of the Bryant family in the world of basketball.

As the years pass, Vanessa continues to carry the memory of her husband and daughter with grace and resilience, finding moments of connection and comfort in honoring their dreams and achievements. The UConn championship, and the outpouring of love from players like Paige Bueckers, is just one example of how their spirits will never be forgotten.