Ionescu: 'I carry Kobe and Gigi with me every day'

A year after the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, New York Liberty point guard Sabrina Ionescu reflected on how the two have continued to inspire her.

"I carry Kobe and Gigi with me every day and honor their legacies through my dedication to the game," Ionescu told Yahoo Sports. "I wake up every day grateful for the platform I've been given, and I strive to lead by example and serve as a role model for young people and especially girls to pursue sports - a platform Kobe and Gigi were passionate about.

"I saw the way he supported his family and his constant advocacy for women's basketball. His encouragement and promotion of equality in sports, along with his Mamba Mentality, is what motivates me today."

Ionescu was among those who spoke at Kobe and Gianna's Celebration of Life at the Staples Center following the helicopter crash that killed the Bryants and seven others on Jan. 26, 2020. She described Kobe as a "mentor, idol, inspiration, and close friend" in an Instagram post.