Vanessa Bryant thanks the WNBA for making her daughter Gianna an honorary draft pick

‘She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, just like her Daddy,’ Vanessa Bryant says

Vanessa Bryant has expressed her gratitude towards the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for making her late daughter, Gianna Bryant, an honorary draft pick.

On Friday, the WNBA conducted a draft for the 2020 season, during which teams chose new players from a selection of college-level and professional basketball players.

During the virtual draft, WNBA commissioner Cathey Englebert announced that Gianna had been selected as an honorary draft pick, in addition to Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester.

The teenage athletes died in a tragic helicopter crash on 26 January, which also claimed the life of Gianna’s father, NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

“Thank you so much for honouring my Gigi and selecting her to be an honorary draft pick this year. It would have been a dream come true for her,” Gianna's mother, Vanessa, said in a video shared by ESPN.

“She worked tirelessly every single day. She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, just like her Daddy.

“So thank you, thank you for honouring my little girl.”

Vanessa added that Gianna and Kobe “loved the WNBA”, gesturing towards the WNBA sweatshirt she is wearing in the video, which belonged to her husband.

Sgw added she wished to congratulate all the basketball players chosen in this year’s draft picks before offering them words of wisdom.

“Work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba mentality.”

In addition to making Gianna an honorary draft pick for the 2020 season, the women’s basketball association also introduced the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award.

The organisation said the new annual award “will recognise 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,” said Ms Engelbert.

“The Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will honour their legacy and reflect Kobe’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of players, promoting the game and giving back to their community.”