Before the New York Liberty's WNBA opener against the Washington Mystics, Sabrina Ionescu, the star player of the Liberty, paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, embodying the Mamba mentality.
During the Liberty's morning shootaround, Ionescu wore the Kobe 4 Mambacitas sneakers, released in May. As she entered the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, the guard donned Gigi's No. 2 Mambacita jersey.
Sabrina Ionescu rocking the Kobe 4 Mambacitas at shootaround. #wnba pic.twitter.com/LJ9vt80qLQ
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) May 19, 2023
Ionescu has always been a devoted fan of Kobe Bryant and has consistently found ways to honor his legacy and that of his daughter. Beyond wearing their gear, she has expressed her commitment to continuing the mission they started by promoting women's basketball and sports in general.
Sabrina wore a Gigi Bryant jersey for the WNBA season opener tonight 🤍🐍
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 19, 2023
(via @nyliberty) pic.twitter.com/AQK5Kf03Fy
Read More: WNBA: Sky vs. Lynx Toronto Game
Sabrina Ionescu Aims to Inspire Young People
Striving to lead by example and serve as a role model, Ionescu aims to inspire young people, particularly girls, to pursue sports - an objective that Kobe and Gigi were passionate about.
She acknowledges Kobe's support for his family and his unwavering advocacy for women's basketball. His encouragement, promotion of equality in sports, and Mamba Mentality continue to motivate her today.
When she was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Liberty in 2020, Ionescu paid tribute to Kobe and sent a heartfelt message, expressing her belief that he was watching over her with pride. She expressed her love and appreciation for him while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead.
Though Kobe Bryant and Gigi are no longer with us, Sabrina Ionescu is dedicated to ensuring that their legacy lives on through her actions. As the new WNBA season commences, it is hoped that she will have another remarkable season reminiscent of the Mamba spirit.
Related Article: Mercury: Brittney Griner Set for Grammy Surprise
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
