Dearica Hamby fondly recalls the moments when Kobe Bryant was spotted sitting courtside at WNBA matches.
She first met him years ago during his regular visits to watch her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, in action.
“One of the first things he told me was that I could play defence,” Hamby reminisced. “I was like, ‘Wha-at?’ That’s something I’ll hold close to my heart forever.”
This sentiment encapsulates the late NBA icon’s commitment to women’s basketball. Following his illustrious 20-year playing career, Bryant dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation, mentoring notable figures like WNBA champion and Olympic gold medallist Diana Taurasi and former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu.
He worked alongside them, analysing their gameplay and motivating them to pursue the same level of recognition enjoyed by him and his NBA counterparts.
For Hamby, now representing the Los Angeles Sparks, Bryant recognised a facet of her skills that she hadn’t even acknowledged.
Kobe Bryant. Getty
“If Kobe says you can defend, you can defend,” she quips.
Five years after Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California, numerous women’s basketball athletes have reflected on his influence on the sport and his unwavering support.
Many believe that Bryant would have been delighted with the surge in popularity and visibility of women’s sports, which have seen a remarkable rise in recent years.
This growth has been particularly evident in women’s basketball arenas, which Bryant and Gianna cherished.
Last season, the WNBA experienced its most-watched regular season in 24 years and its highest attendance in 22 years. Several of the league’s star players are now competing in a new 3-on-3 league in South Florida called Unrivaled, established by Olympic gold medallists Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
“We carry this on for him,” stated Satou Sabally, a forward with the Dallas Wings in the WNBA who plays for the Phantom squad in Unrivaled.
“He would be so proud of this league. He’d be thrilled with ’Phe and Stewie. I know he’s watching over us, hopefully smiling, proud of our efforts.”
Sabally shared that she becomes emotional reflecting on that fateful day, January 27 (AEDT), 2020, which takes her back to her time at Oregon, where she, Ionescu, and their teammates found common ground in their admiration for Bryant.
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant at a WNBA game in Las Vegas. Getty
“I think about how we were united over Kobe and how that bond will last a lifetime because he touched so many,” Sabally shared. “He truly recognised women as the talented individuals we are. He attended games, voiced his support, and was genuinely championing our cause.”
The shockwaves of the superstar’s passing rippled through the sports and entertainment industries, prompting many to share heartfelt tributes on social media, grappling with their disbelief over the loss.
Fans were transfixed by their devices as news of the tragedy broke. NBA players were visibly moved and emotional in the lead-up to games on that day.
“I still remember precisely where I was when we received the news,” said Kate Martin of the Golden State Valkyries, who plays for Laces BC in Unrivaled, “and initially, there was confusion over whether it was real or not. That’s one of those moments you never forget.”
Though Martin never had the chance to meet Bryant, she values his relentless competitive spirit and his efforts to elevate women’s sports.
Bryant was deeply involved with his daughters’ basketball journeys, coaching Gianna’s youth team, and frequently attending her games alongside his daughter, who was captivated by the UConn Huskies. Gianna was poised to carry on Bryant’s legacy on the court, with plans to attend Connecticut and aspiring for the WNBA beyond that.
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