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Lakers Send 1-Word Message After Vanessa Bryant's Big Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 17, 2025 12:38 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in NBA history. Spending all 20 years of his career in LA, Bryant won five NBA championships and made 18 All-Star Game appearances. Retiring in 2016, he still ranks fourth on the league's all-time scoring list.

Kobe and his daughter Gianna tragically passed away in a 2020 helicopter accident. They are survived by Vanessa Bryant and her oldest daughter, Natalia. The Bryant family has done incredible work to push forward Kobe's work off the court, notably through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation that aims to further the legacies of he and Gianna.

On Friday, Vanessa Bryant announced the exciting news that her daughter Natalia had graduated from USC.

"We’re so proud of you @nataliabryant!" she wrote in an Instagram post.

Among the comments was one from the official Lakers account. The team wrote, "Congratulations "

Bryant's legacy in Los Angeles and across the sports world continues to be felt. The Lakers have continued to honor him in different ways, including the recent unveiling of a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center).

Natalia, part of USC's 2025 graduating class, also announced her major accomplishment in a post on Instagram. Alongside her mother, Natalia has done incredible work with the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation while completing her degree. This is just one of the ways the Bryant family has continued to positively impact the sports world, not just in Los Angeles, but all over.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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