Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna receive celebrity tributes on one-year anniversary of tragedy

Many celebrities paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on the one-year anniversary of their tragic deaths.

Magic Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Viola Davis, and Alex Rodriguez were among those in the sports and entertainment worlds who took to social media to post heartfelt eulogies about the father and daughter duo.

Kobe and Gianna – AKA Gigi – died in a helicopter accident along with seven others on January 26, 2020. 

Fellow Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson shared a photo of both he and the five-time NBA Champion in their purple and gold uniforms with the caption: ‘Kobe will always be my @Lakers brother for life. [purple and gold heart emojis]’

Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan paid tribute to the Black Mamba and his daughter as he shared a photo of them with a heartfelt caption.

The 33-year-old actor wrote: ‘Don’t think I could recap a year any clearer from the moment I heard the news until today. Appreciation of family. Of time. & purpose is heavy on my mind this morning. 

‘Sending love & healing energy to the Bryant family. Rest in Power. You’ll never be forgotten. #mamba #mambacita’

Viola Davis shared the same image with the caption: ‘Missed and loved. Heart goes out to Vanessa and family today [two broken heart and two praying hands emojis]’

Alex Rodriguez took to Instagram to share a sweet tribute video dedicated to his ‘younger brother’ Kobe which featured photos of them together along with clips of the basketball superstar with his family and playing.

The 45-year-old former New York Yankees player also posted a lengthy heartfelt caption which began: ‘I can’t believe it’s been one year since we experienced the tragic loss of my brother, my friend, Kobe Bryant. It still doesn’t feel real.’

He went on to say that the 6feet6 shooting guard was more than just a basketball player and his efforts on the court were only the beginning.

Alex continued: ‘I miss our conversations. I miss texting about family, business, sports and music. I miss him.

‘I’m also thinking about GiGi and her tragic loss, along with the other passengers on the plane. To all the families and friends who were affected by this tragedy, we are all thinking of you.

‘Today, and really everyday, remember that our time is short. Hug your loved ones. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Work hard and remember to smile. RIP, Kobe. Love you, Mamba.’

Scottie Pippen shared a video of he and Kobe greeting each other at a youth basketball event as they had an animated conversation and even introduced their children to each other. 

The 55-year-old former Chicago Bulls player wrote: ‘I’ll always wish I had one more conversation with Kobe. For all his greatness and everything he accomplished, his best days were still to come. 

‘My thoughts are with the family and friends of Kobe, Gianna, and all the others who were taken from us far too soon a year ago today.’

Kobe’s wife and Gigi’s mother Vanessa also took to Instagram to pay tribute as she revealed she had received a beautifully written letter from one of 13-year-old Gianna’s best friends, Aubrey, and wrote in the caption: ‘My Gigi is INCREDIBLE and I truly appreciate your thoughtful letter.

‘She loves you so much. I miss my baby girl and Kob-Kob so much, too. [heart emoji] I will never understand why/how this tragedy could’ve happened to such beautiful, kind and amazing human beings.

‘It still doesn’t seem real. Kob, we did it right. Gigi, you still make mommy proud. I love you!’

Sharing the letter on the anniversary of her daughter and husband’s death, Vanessa wrote: ‘Today I received this sweet letter from one of Gianna’s best friends, Aubrey.

‘I love you Aubz (as my Gigi would call you). Thank you so much for beautifully sharing some of your memories of my Gigi with me and allowing me to share them here on my ig.’ 

Kobe met Vanessa in 1999 when she 17 and was working as a background model on a music video. The couple got engaged six months later and married in 2001.  

They welcomed daughters Natalia in 2003, Gianna in 2006, Bianka in 2016 and Capri in 2019.      

Kobe and daughter Gianna, a youth basketball standout, had been on their way to the Mamba Academy for basketball practice when their helicopter crashed at around 10am. The seven other people on board were also tragically killed.

The pilot – named locally as Ara Zobayan – was trying to turn the aircraft when it smashed into hills of Las Virgenes Canyon, which is home to celebrities including the Kardashians.

Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Kerry, and their daughter Alyssa were also among dead.