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Sabrina Ionescu on speaking at Kobe Bryant's memorial: 'I was nervous. I was emotional'

Originally posted on Basketball Network | By Adel Ahmad | Last updated Dec 27, 2024 6:17 AM ET

The loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in January 2020 sent shockwaves through the sports world. Among those deeply affected was WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, a college basketball phenom at the University of Oregon at the time.

Their bond was mentorship and friendship rooted in shared passion, mutual respect, and a vision for the future of basketball, so it was only natural for the WNBA superstar to carry a weight of emotions to speak at the memorial of the NBA Hall of Famer.

Emotional task

Ionescu first met Kobe and Gigi during her rise as one of the most dominant players in NCAA basketball history. At Oregon, she was rewriting the record books, becoming the first player in NCAA history—male or female—to notch 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds. Sabrina's versatility and leadership caught "The Black Mamba's" attention, and he quickly became her mentor—often holding one-on-one sessions together.

"I was nervous; I was emotional," she said of speaking at the late NBA icon's memorial. "It was awesome to see how many people were there that were touched and had so many stories about him." "Like half the whole NBA was there; to be able to see friends and families and everyone that really came together was really cool."

Everyone who knew the Los Angeles Lakers legend can attest that he was a champion of the women's game. As a WNBA fan, he saw a reflection of his "Mamba Mentality" in Sabrina. KB's daughter admired the Liberty star and often attended games with her father.

Sabrina Ionescu mourns her friend Kobe Bryant ahead of her game against Oregon State. pic.twitter.com/urdYuFSNW5
— espnW (@espnW) January 26, 2020

A strong bond

Like everyone who came up to give a speech during the memorial, the WNBA star's oration painted the five-time NBA champion as an inspiration and model throughout her career. After being selected as the first overall pick by the Liberty in the 2020 WNBA Draft, Sabrina immediately proved why the NBA legend had placed so much faith in her.

Despite an injury-shortened rookie season, the former Oregon Ducks star bounced back stronger, becoming a leader for her team and earning All-Star honors, All-Star appearances, and eventually a championship this year. So, stepping on stage to give a speech alongside legendary NBA players and personalities made the experience worthwhile.

"Going up there, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, the youngest person to come up here, I was like nervous, emotional, and it was just like I have to just do it; I have to just speak and not worry about everyone that's here; you're just talking to them," Ionescu said.

Her connection to Bryant's legacy remains ever-present. Sabrina has maintained a close relationship with his family, often visiting his wife, Vanessa, and their daughters. The bond was evident in 2024 when the WNBA superstar ran to celebrate with Kobe's family after Team USA's gold medal win over France at the Paris Olympics.

The New York star continues to honor the Hall of Famer and his deceased daughter through her play and presence in the sport, and the lessons he imparted live on—on and off the court.

"You were my mentor, idol, inspiration, and close friend."

Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu opens up about Kobe, Gianna and the seven other victims from Sunday's helicopter crash.

(via @sabrina_i20) pic.twitter.com/PTnU44WD6o
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2020