Vanessa Bryant Greets Candace Parker On Her Birthday With Adorable Photo 1 Aug 9, 2024; Paris, France; Vanessa Bryant and her family watch a women’s basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Vanessa Bryant Greets Candace Parker On Her Birthday With Adorable Photo

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Sabel Reyes | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 7:35 AM ET

Vanessa Bryant joined the sports world in celebrating WNBA legend Candace Parker’s 39th birthday on Saturday. The three-time WNBA champion and seven-time All-Star received warm wishes from fans, fellow athletes, and close friends, including Vanessa, who took to Instagram to share a heartfelt birthday greeting.

In her Instagram story, Vanessa posted a sweet photo of Parker with her daughters, Capri and Bianka Bryant. She tagged the basketball icon and simply captioned the post with, “Happy Birthday!”—a short but meaningful tribute that highlighted the strong bond the two women share.

Vanessa’s connection to women’s basketball has grown over the years, especially after the tragic passing of her husband, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, in 2020. Kobe was a known advocate for the women’s game, and Vanessa has carried that legacy forward with passion and purpose. Her friendship with Candace Parker has blossomed through their shared love for the sport—Parker has even taken on the role of coaching Vanessa’s youngest daughter, Bianka.

As a proud supporter of women’s basketball, Vanessa was spotted at the 2024 Paris Olympics, cheering on Team USA. During the event, she shared moments with several WNBA stars, including Sabrina Ionescu, further cementing her role as a visible figure in the basketball community.

Vanessa Bryant rekindles her relationship with the late Kobe Bryant

In addition to celebrating Parker’s birthday, Vanessa Bryant also honored a deeply personal milestone over the weekend—what would have been her 25th wedding anniversary with Kobe Bryant on Friday, April 18. She marked the occasion with a touching throwback photo of the two, captioned simply: “25 #Anniversary 4/18/01,” followed by a string of heart emojis.

Bulls Legend Pays Tribute to the Late Kobe Bryant on Social Media 1 Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) and wife Vanessa Bryant attend an NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Since Kobe’s passing, Vanessa has consistently paid tribute to his memory on special occasions. In August 2024, she shared a heartfelt photo from the past, captioned: “Happy birthday @kobebryant. I love you for now, forever & for always.

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The post was met with an outpouring of love and support from fans and celebrities alike. Fashion influencers and followers filled her comment section with heartwarming messages, including: “Sending so much love

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Together, the weekend became a poignant blend of celebration and remembrance for Vanessa Bryant, honoring the past while continuing to inspire through love, resilience, and community.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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