The WNBA honored Giana “Gigi” Byrant, Alyssa Altobelli, and Payton Chester, Friday as honorary draft picks for the WNBA. The news was a welcome announcement to the family members of the three young basketball athletes who lost their lives in a helicopter crash on January 26, which also claimed Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant, and five other passengers. Among them were the parents of Altobelli, the mother of Chester, the team coach, and the pilot.
Cathy Engelbert, the League Commissioner, of the WNBA began the 2020 draft with a heartfelt tribute dedicated to the legacy of the “Mambacita generation.”
“These athletes represented the future of the WNBA. Players who were following their passions, acquiring knowledge of the game, exhibiting skills that were way beyond their years,” Engelbert said. “They represented the next generation of stars in our league, maybe what might have been called the Mambacita generation.”
The WNBA pays tribute to the lives of Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester by selecting them as honorary draftees in the #WNBADraft 2020. pic.twitter.com/AqpZnc4xfo
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 17, 2020
The families of the teammates thanked the commissioner and the WNBA for honoring their loved ones. Siblings of Altobelli, the father of Chester, and mother of Bryant, and wife of Kobe, Vanessa posted videos included in Engelbert’s tribute to the girls. It was an emotional moment for all.
“It would have been a dream come true for her,” Gianna’s mother, Vanessa, said. “Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA. Thank you. I want to congratulate all of this year’s draft picks. Congratulations. Work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba Mentality.”
Engelbert also mentioned the first ever Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award. It recognizes “an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the visibility, perception and advancement of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels.”
“Kobe was an incredible champion of women’s basketball and Gianna shared his passion and dedication to our game,” Engelbert said in a statement. “The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will honor their legacy and reflect Kobe’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of players, promoting the game and giving back to the community.”
The presentation of the inaugural award will take place at the 2021 NBA All-Star Game by the WNBA and Bryant family. Vanessa Bryant will be instrumental in assisting who the recipients are every year at All-Star Weekend.
Gianna Bryant made it known she wanted to be like her dad and play professional basketball. The father and daughter duo loved to attend games and support the players both on the college and WNBA levels. Bryant had her sights set on attending the University of Connecticut (UConn), and Altobelli and Chester had dreams of playing college ball as well. Altobelli, in particular, hoped to play for Oregon, where three of its players were recently drafted in the first round, including Sabrina Ionescu, who was the No. 1 overall pick for the New York Liberty. A family friend of the Bryant family, Ionescu applauded the WNBA for honoring what would have been undoubtedly a talented trio coming out of the class of 2024.
“I think it was a very beautiful thing that the WNBA did to be able to draft those three girls,” Ionescu said. “They deserved it. I know they’re looking down and smiling and really excited.”
By BSM Team
Feature photo: Chris Costello
