Vanessa Bryant remembered her late daughter Gianna in a heartbreaking post on Instagram on Wednesday, as her high school held a ceremony to officially retire the 13-year-old’s jersey.
Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash with her father, Kobe Bryant, and seven others last month, was remembered by her school friends and basketball teammates at Harbor Day middle school on Wednesday.
Gianna had worn the number 2 jersey as a starter on the Harbor Day girls basketball team and the Mamba Sports Academy girls basketball team.
Gianna was the second daughter born to Vanessa and Kobe Bryant in 2006, after Vanessa suffered a miscarriage the year before. Gigi is seen here with her mom and older sister, Natalia.
Vanessa, 37, shared photos and videos from the ceremony on Instagram, writing: “My Gianna. God I miss you. I’ve been so lucky to have woken up to see your gorgeous face and amazing smile for 13 years. Wish it would’ve been until my last breath. Mommy loves you to the moon and back. Infinity plus 1. #2 #Mambacita #GigiBryant.”
She also later shared a snap of Gianna’s framed jersey, writing: “My Gigi. I love you! I miss you. You’ve taught us all that no act of kindness is ever too small. Mommy is still and will ALWAYS be so proud of you mamacita. #2.”
According to WENN.com, a group of the school’s 6th and 7th graders gathered together to sing Maroon 5‘s hit song “Memories” in tribute to Gianna.
The group’s frontman Adam Levine shared a video of the emotional moment on Twitter.com.
“It’s important to cry. It’s important to sing. It’s important to love so hard and hold on so tightly for as long as we can. Now more than ever. #GIRLDAD,” the dad of two daughters wrote, referencing Kobe’s now famous quote that he was proud to be a “girl dad”, as the father of four daughters with Vanessa.
