August 24 has been known as Mamba Day in Los Angeles since Kobe Bryant retired in 2016. With his passing in the tragic helicopter accident on January 26, 2020, the day has assumed heightened importance for not just Kobe and Lakers’ fans but for the basketball community as a whole.
When you think of Bryant, you likely recall him in a Lakers jersey, hitting clutch shots, breaking records and hanging banners. But a love for the women’s game was also a central part of his passion for the sport.
No @NBA player supported the @WNBA or women’s college basketball more than Kobe. He attended games, watched on tv, coached the next generation. We pray for his family. https://t.co/ZhTCxD3sRg
— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) January 26, 2020
How Kobe lived out his love for women’s basketball
Bryant’s time associated with the women’s game grew exponentially after his 2016 retirement, alongside with the growing up of his daughter, Gianna. However, Kobe had been a fan and supporter of the women’s game since the beginning. During his early days as a Laker, a young Bryant told a reporter:
It’s an exciting league. I really enjoy watching it. It’s a lot more fundamental. A lot of players don’t have to rely on their athletic ability. What they rely on is their instincts…
