The wife of the late NBA legend, who died alongside Gianna in a helicopter crash last month, decides to include the 13-year-old's name in the charity organization that helps young people through sports.
- Feb 14, 2020
AceShowbiz - Kobe Bryant's widow has made an adjustment to the name of his charity organization. Nearly three weeks after the NBA legend passed away in a helicopter crash along with their second daughter, Vanessa Bryant announced her decision to rename Mamba Foundation into the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
On Thursday, February 13, the mother of five turned to Instagram to share the news. "We have updated the Mamba Sports Foundation to now be called the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation," she wrote in accompaniment of the updated logo of the foundation. On the reason why, she simply noted, "Because there is no #24 without #2."
In the post, the 37-year-old assured that the organization's mission "remains the same - and stronger than ever - to provide opportunities to young people through sports." She added, "Thank you all for the outpouring of support and your kind donations to date as we carry forth Kobe and Gigi's legacy.. We hope to empower young athletes in a world they left us all to help shape."
Per its official site, the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is "focused on creating a positive impact through sports," and aims to "develop learning skills, enhancing character traits, and expanding personal values that ultimately empower and inspire self-confidence." Supported by 1,000 plus volunteers, it has impacted 9,817 youths and 472 veterans.
Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26. They were two of nine victims that included baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife and their daughter, Alyssa, who happened to be Gianna's friend and basketball teammate. The two have reportedly been laid to rest in a private ceremony on February 7.
Two weeks after the tragic accident, Vanessa outpoured her grief in a lengthy Instagram post. "I've been reluctant to put my feelings into words," she confessed. "My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone. I can't process both at the same time. It's like I'm trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me."
