The UConn women’s basketball team dedicated their 2020-2021 season to the late Kobe Bryant. The team, who had a close relationship with the basketball legend, wanted to honor his legacy after his tragic death in January 2020.
Bryant, who had a daughter playing on a girls’ basketball team, was a strong advocate for women’s basketball. He often attended UConn games and even hosted the team for a private workout in 2018. The UConn players and coaching staff were inspired by Bryant’s dedication to the game and his support for the women’s game.
The team began their season by wearing black armbands with Bryant’s name on them. The team also had a special pregame ritual where they gathered together and chanted “Mamba Mentality” in honor of Bryant’s approach to basketball. The team also had a moment of silence for Bryant before their first exhibition game.
The dedication to Bryant seemed to inspire the UConn team on the court. They began the season with a record of 10-0 and carried that momentum into conference play. The team dominated the Big East conference, winning the regular-season title and the conference tournament.
The UConn team’s dedication to Bryant was also evident off the court. The players and coaching staff wore Kobe Bryant shirts during media days, and head coach Geno Auriemma wore a black-and-gold pin with Bryant’s number 24 on it during games.
The UConn women’s basketball team’s dedication to Kobe Bryant’s legacy continued throughout the NCAA tournament. The team advanced to the Final Four, where they faced off against Arizona. Before the game, the UConn players donned warm-up shirts with a picture of Bryant and Gianna Bryant, who also died in the helicopter crash that killed her father.
The UConn team went on to win the national championship, capping off a season dedicated to the late Kobe Bryant. The team’s success and dedication to Bryant’s legacy have inspired others, and the UConn women’s basketball team will be forever remembered for their tribute to the basketball legend.