That's something I'll cherish with me forever. That epitomised the late NBA great's relationship with the women's game. After his year playing career ended, Bryant turned his focus to the next generation, mentoring some of women's basketball's biggest stars, from WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi to former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu. He worked out with them, analysed the strengths and weaknesses of their game and pushed for them to reach the same heights in popularity that he and his NBA peers did.
For Hamby, now with the Los Angeles Sparks, Bryant saw an aspect of her game she didn't even know she had. Five years after Bryant, year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, several women's basketball players reflected on what he meant to their game and how he championed it.
Many of them thought Bryant would be pleased with the overall progress of women's sports, which have skyrocketed in popularity and reach in recent years. That growth has been most prominent in the women's basketball arenas that Bryant and Gianna loved so much. The WNBA last season had its most-watched regular season in 24 years and its best attendance in 22 seasons. Some of the league's most popular players currently are competing in a new 3-on-3 league in South Florida called Unrivaled, founded by Olympic gold medalists Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
It reminds her of her playing days at Oregon, when she, Ionescu and their Ducks teammates connected over Bryant. He came to the games, he was so outspoken and he really was really supportive.
The shock of the superstar's death echoed throughout the sports and entertainment worlds, with many taking to social media to post emotional tributes to Bryant while expressing their disbelief. People were glued to their phones and TV screens as news of the crash spread. NBA players were in tears ahead of games that day. Martin never met Bryant but said she cherishes his mentality — he had a relentless competitiveness — and the way he elevated women's sports. Bryant became heavily involved with his daughters' hoops journeys and coached Gianna's youth team.
