Vanessa Bryant Gifts Kobe Grinch Sneakers to USC Basketball Teams.Photo:Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images; USC Women’s Basketball X
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images; USC Women’s Basketball X
The USC Basketball teams are ready to compete this holiday season with a little help fromVanessa Bryant.
On Monday, the men’s and women’s basketball teams at the University of Southern California received a special present from Vanessa, 41.
The wife of late NBA greatKobe Bryant— whose daughter Natalia is also a junior at USC — gifted the school’s teams with pairs of Nike Kobe 6 performance retro “Reverse Grinch” sneakers ahead of a new college basketball season.
The women’s team opened the season with a win over Ohio State on Monday, while the men’s team kicks off their season on Thursday.
“Vanessa, what’s up? This is Kobe Johnson from the USC Men’s Basketball team,” star guard Kobe Johnson said to the camera, pretending to use the Nike sneaker as a phone.
Kobe Johnson of USC Trojans.USC Men’s Basketball X
USC Men’s Basketball X
“I just wanted to say thank you a whole lot for the shoes that you gave us. We appreciate it a lot,” Johnson, 20, added. “We’re ready to go into the season with them and start killing, so, once again, we appreciate you a whole lot. Can’t wait to see you.”
The video then cuts to USC captain Boogie Ellis sharing his gratitude for Vanessa. “I would like to say thank you. We truly appreciate you for your support. Fight on, and appreciate the shoes,” Ellis, 22, said.
USC women’s basketball said, “Game day kicks ready to rock. Appreciate the support from Vanessa Bryant and The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation,” in their post on X.
Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb presented her team with their gift from Vanessa, as seen in the video on X. “We have a special gift that arrived today from none other than Vanessa Bryant,” Gottlieb said as her players cheered.
Guard Aaliyah Gales told the camera she and her teammates “appreciate” the sneakers from Vanessa “so much” and forward McKenzie Forbes beamed ear to ear as she showed off her pair.
The Kobe 6 “Grinch” shoe was originally released for the 2011 holiday season.
The “Reverse Grinch” design was announced in January and will be available for purchase on Dec. 16.
Nike Kobe 6 protro “Reverse Grinch” sneakers.USC Men’s Basketball X
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Bronny James, son of NBA starLeBron James, was one of the athletes to receive a pair of the sneakers.
However, the 19-year-old’s availability for the team’s opening weeks of the season remains uncertain as he recovers from his cardiac arrest in July. He was later diagnosed with “an anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect” andunderwent surgeryto correct the issue.
LeBron, 38, and Kobe were close friends, and the late legendary athlete served as a mentor to LeBron.
The Lakers star has been outspoken about Kobe and their relationship, calling him “a brother to me” while giving a moving tribute to the NBA legend ahead of a Lakers game shortly following Kobe’s death.
Bronny’s former Sierra Canyon classmateJuJu Watkinssnagged a pair of the Kobe 6’s as well.
In her debut with USC on Monday, Watkins, 19, scored 32 points and 5 assists, making her one of the most highly-anticipated stars of the season.
The USC men’s basketball team hosts Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday in Los Angeles.
source: people.com
