Vanessa Bryant Reflects On First Meeting Kobe Bryant
Vanessa Bryant is embracing another Mamba.
While honoring her late husband Kobe Bryant, the 43-year-old shared a sweet photo of her daughter Capri Kobe Bryant, 6, following in his athletic footsteps.
“Like father, like daughter,” Vanessa wrote on her July 24 Instagram post, which sees a split image of Capri—whose middle name is a nod to her dad—emulating Kobe’s stance while holding a basketball. And if her spot-on pose wasn’t enough proof, Vanessa also referred to her little one as, “Baby Mamba” and her nickname “KoKo Bean.”
This isn’t the first time Vanessa—also mom to Natalia Bryant, 22, Bianka Bryant, 8, and late daughter Gianna Bryant, who passed away in a 2020 helicopter crash alongside Kobe and seven others—has shared Capri’s interest in the sport. Exactly two years ago, the Mamba & Mambacita author posted a photo of her youngest smiling while holding two basketballs on Instagram, her bright expression similar to her dad.
Vanessa’s latest tribute comes six months after she detailed her holiday trip with her daughters. As seen in her Instagram post from last December, the girls enjoyed their wintery vacation together, from roasting marshmallows to hitting the ice on their ski slopes. Capri also had some downtime with her mom, as she posed for a few photos with Vanessa while riding on a carousel.
Instagram/@VanessaBryant
And when Capri isn’t gearing up to dribble on her court, her older sister Bianka is already practicing her three pointers. Indeed, former WNBA star Candace Parker, 38, shared an impressive shot of her and Bianka playing basketball together.
And according to Candace, the little one is certainly taking after dad and Gianna.
“Retired but I still stay in the GYM!” Candace wrote on Instagram last July. “The next are ready to take center stage and I’m excited to be there on the sidelines cheering them on. Legacy, legacy, legacy, legacy!”
Keep reading to see more sweet moments in the Bryant legacy…
ndrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Family Portrait
The basketball star posed with his parents Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000.
Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images
Father-Son Moment
The duo were all smiles while posing for a portrait in November 2000.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Baby On-the-Way
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
Birthdays
“Happy Birthday B.B. I Can’t believe you are 3 already!” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. “We love you little mamacita.”
Pool Time
“My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB),” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
Thanksgiving
“Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!” Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
Halloween
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
“My Gigi”
“My Gigi,” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Love & Basketball
The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
Lots of Hugs
“@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble,” the caption of the September 2019 post read.
Mother’s Day
“Happy Mother’s Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family,” Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri’s birth. “You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba.”
A Father-Daughter Duo
“Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi,” Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. “Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way.”
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Basketball Buddies
Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Family Fun
Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
Smiles in the Sunshine
“Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas,” the caption of the 2018 post read.
AP/Shutterstock
Fond Memories
Kobe and his family members attended a women’s basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
An Unforgettable Moment
Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
A Dad and His Daughters
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
Joe Russo/Shutterstock
A Loving Family
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
All Smiles
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Elsa/Getty Images
Hugs and Kisses
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
David Livingston/Getty Images
A Proud Father
Kobe’s wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney via Getty Images
A Day at Disney
Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers’ NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
Richard Vogel/AP/Shutterstock
A Winning Team
The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
“Daddy’s Little Princesses”
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as “Daddy’s little princesses.” Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
Instagram/@VanessaBryant
The Mamba Legacy Continues
Vanessa Bryant shared a sweet photo of her and Kobe’s youngest daughter, 6-year-old Capri Kobe Bryant, 6, following in his athletic footsteps.
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