AP Photo/Jessica Hill/ AP Photo/Michael Woods
- Gigi Bryant — the 13-year-old who died alongside her father, Kobe Bryant, and seven others in a January 2020 helicopter crash — was a major fan of the UConn women’s basketball team.
- After the Huskies’ Final Four loss in 2017, Bryant wrote a letter to the team encouraging them to return to practice and “get better before the next one!”
- Before Thursday’s game, UConn players honored Gigi by wearing a T-shirt featuring a portion of the letter.
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Gigi Bryant is “forever one of us,” according to the UConn women’s basketball family.
And on Thursday, Geno Auriemma’s team showed the late baller some love.
Before their marquee matchup against the No. 19 Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday evening, the entire squad wore T-shirts in Bryant’s honor.
—UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) January 28, 2021
With “WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN’T UCONN” written in block letters across the front, the shirts called back to a letter the aspiring UConn star wrote to the Huskies following their 2017 Final Four loss. Bryant wrote that she was “so sorry” the team lost, but, as always, she found a way to look on the bright side.
“It gives you extra time to practice and get better before the next one!” the then-10-year-old wrote. “Just think… when you think you can’t UCONN.”
On the first anniversary of Bryant's death, UConn's social media team shared a copy of the letter on Facebook and added that Gigi "loved being around the Huskies, and we loved being around her."
Gigi died alongside her father - Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant - and seven others in a January 26, 2020 helicopter crash. She was 13 years old. Her father was 41.
Though her famous father did not play college basketball, Gigi was "hellbent" on playing under Auriemma at UConn once she was old enough to take her talents to Storrs. She and her father regularly attended Huskies games before their death.
AP Photo/Jessica Hill
Just one day after the Bryants' fatal accident, UConn hosted the US Women's National Team for a scrimmage. Before tipoff, the team honored Gigi by draping a No. 2 jersey - the number she wore with her AAU team - over the back of its bench and placing a bouquet on the seat.
—UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) January 27, 2020
It's been a year since then, and Auriemma admits that he's still struggling with the loss.
"I'm amazed that it's been a year already," Auriemma said Tuesday, per FOX61. "I'm amazed that so much has transpired since last January."
"Hard to grip, can't get a grip on it, hard to fathom," he added.