“We in the WNBA feel like Kobe was the person that uplifted our league… I think just in terms of him having his daughters and really teaching the game.” Candace Parker spoke on Kobe Bryant. The 3X champion wasn’t just a far witness to the NBA legend’s impact extending to the league. Only a few days ago, she shared stories of training with Kobe and his now 7-year-old daughter, instilled to carry on his legacy. A key role player in helping through remains ‘coach’ Vanessa Bryant, Parker ensures to highlight.
Speaking to Marc Spears, Andscape, about her career and the future of the game, Candace Parker was asked about her interaction with Bianka Bella. “naturally gifted,” she called her. Having coached her, as recently revealed, Parker went on to explain her technique. “It’s crazy. Do you know how you see kids and they have triceps and long arms. And she grabbed the ball initially and what threw me was she loaded her wrist and I was like, this is wild.“
Bianka would be the second one of Kobe’s daughters to embrace the sport after Gigi, who was excelling at it before her demise. At just seven, the little one has impressed the community with her shooting, one applauded just earlier this week through Parker’s Instagram stories. And the efforts behind it, are not just the WNBA’s star’s expertise but Venessa, who braves through.
Parker spoke highly of the strong will of Vanessa to help her kids achieve their dreams. “But it means a lot to me that Vanessa [Bryant] is still so connected to the game of basketball. That’s the thing I take is that she’s not running from the game. She wants her daughters to be a part of it and to understand the legacy that they come from, but also build their own, which I think is cool.“
Vanessa Bryant earlier this year on what could have been Gigi’s 18th birthday, in collaboration with Nike, welcomed 100 kids whose dreams are as big as Gianna’s were. Little aspirants from different organizations were given the opportunity to participate in the MambaMambacitaSports Skills Academy basketball camp at the Lakers facility in honor of her late daughter.
With the WNBA All-Star a few hours away, Vanessa also unveiled the latest Nike 6 Protro ‘WNBA All-Star’ PE. Which was later shared by the highest voting all-star Caitlin Clark. The Fever rookie previously had worn Protro 5 and Protro 6. Caitlin recently told of how Bryant’s work habits and commitment inspired her to see how far she could go on the court. Similarly, Paker, who had the opportunity to train with Kobe, shared her story.
Candace Parker on the contribution of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant
Parker revealed that she had the opportunity to work out with Kobe, who helped her with footwork movements. Further explaining that the Lakers legend called it ‘Build your House.’ So when she got the opportunity to teach it to Bianka, she called it a cool moment. On her story she wrote, “Look at the wrist loaded under the ball…. On her toes… Basketball in her blood! #MiniMamba Aunty Candace is so proud of you BB and you too COACH @Vanessa Bryant.“
Vanessa Bryant shared the same training session photos on her IG post and wrote, “The assistant to the assistant 🏀coach 😃😁🤪 @candaceparker #ConeQueen #LoveMyVillage ❤️.” Parker replied, “Love you and the girls so much❤️❤️❤️.” For the 7x WNBA star, the connection is special because she had personally seen Kobe’s presence for WNBA growth.
Saying that even before the world started tuning in and appreciating the W, Kobe was sitting courtside at Staples Center. Not just Parker but the current leader of the WNBA MVP award also shared a similar sentiment for Kobe. “Someone I met in my industry that I really looked up to is the Kobe Bryant,” said A’ja Wilson in a recent interview. Kobe had visited the Aces locker room alongside Gigi and her AAU team. Now, hopefully, little Bianka makes it there herself one day.
