Vanessa Bryant honors her and Kobe’s daughter Gianna on what would have been her 8th grade graduation

 Vanessa Bryant  celebrates Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant’s graduation and remembers her with a sweet message, “Congratulations on your 8th grade graduation Gigi. I love you forever and always. I’m so proud of you.” Earlier in January, Gianna lost her life in a helicopter crash alongside her father  Kobe Bryant , the pilot and six other passengers. Not only has this been a turmoil for the Bryant family but also a tragic memory that Vanessa will carry through life.

Before her death, Gianna was a member of the student council and a team player of the Harbor Day basketball team. On May 1, Vanessa honored Gianna’s birthday and encouraged her fans to wear red as a symbol of kindness, “please consider wearing red, caption an act of kindness or show how you will play Gigi’s way since she always gave everything she did her all and led with kindness.”

© @vanessabryant

For her graduation, Vanessa posted her daughter’s diploma on social media along with a garland of white flowers. Earlier in February, Harbor Day School retired Gianna’s jersey during a ceremony at the gymnasium where many 6th and 7th graders honored her name with a song from Maroon 5 Memories. “Today we are retiring Gianna’s basketball jersey to commemorate her athleticism and caring spirit that she shared with us. She will be the last person to wear the number 2 for the basketball team. We hope that when you look at her jersey hanging in our gym you will remember Gianna and be inspired to work hard,” as mentioned on a video shared by Vanessa.

© @vanessabryant

Gianna’s dream was to play basketball professionally for the WNBA and play at the University of Connecticut. In honor of her dreams, Vanessa continues to MambaOnThree Fund which supports the lost victims in the tragic accident that occurred on January 26, 2020. Gianna was also named an honorary draftee during the WNBA draft, “These athletes represented the future of the WNBA,” mentioned WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert. Vanessa has continuously paid tribute to her daughter with other heartwarming messages and videos.