“Basketball in her Blood!”: Candace Parker Picks Kobe’s Daughter Bianka Bryant as Future Star

It has been nearly 4 years since the world lost Gianna and Kobe Bryant but their memories still live on. Gianna was shaping to be the next basketball star in the family but the untimely passing of the father-daughter duo brought that to a halt. However, it looks like another star on the hardwood from the Bryant stable is in the making.

Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, recently reposted a picture of her daughter Bianka with Candace Parker, where the WNBA legend could be seen working out and helping the young Bryant with her game.

The former LA Sparks star had earlier uploaded the picture on her IG story with the caption,

“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 @vanessabryant.”

Vanessa Bryant on IG pic.twitter.com/ki1W7Z0MDM

— tragicpatek (@tragicpatek) July 15, 2024

The photo was part of a series posted by Parker on her official Instagram account, displaying her grit and will to still stay in shape. The post also highlighted how Candace is training the next generation of stars to come. The 38-year-old’s original post was captioned,

“Retired but I still stay in the GYM! Genes are wild! The next are ready to take center stage and I’m excited to be there on the sidelines cheering them on‼️‼️ Legacy Legacy Legacy Legacy!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Candace Parker (@candaceparker)

All of Kobe’s daughters were always into sports. Bryant’s eldest daughter, Natalia made a name for herself in the world of volleyball. Gigi Bryant followed in her father’s footsteps and took up basketball. And now, it seems as if Bianka is following on the same path as her late father and elder sister, with a little bit of help from ‘Aunty Candace’. 

Kobe’s impact on WNBA

Parker, who spent the majority of her career with the LA Sparks, was a close friend of Kobe. She always held him in the highest regard and even credited The Black Mamba as the one who uplifted the WNBA when no other NBA star would.

“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.”

Bryant left a lasting impact on anyone and everyone he came in touch with. His untimely demise didn’t just affect the NBA or the basketball world, but it sent waves across the world of sports with numerous players and legends paying tribute to the five-time NBA champion.

Bryant was blessed with four daughters and as a result, the 18-time All-Star was one of the biggest advocates for women’s basketball. And Bryant didn’t just stop at basketball, but he supported women in every sport.