A special moment for Kobe Bryant‘s family … when Vanessa and their children visited the NBA legend’s exhibit at the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday … and it’s a pretty emotional sight.
Bryant — who is being inducted into the Hoops Hall on Saturday — got his very own stand-alone tribute called “Kobe: A Basketball Life” in Springfield … the first since Michael Jordan‘s exhibit in 2009.
The “Kobe: Basketball Life” exhibit designed by Vanessa Bryant at the HOF 🐍
(via @DNguyen41) pic.twitter.com/9GWIA0Oa0z
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 14, 2021
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The 600-ft. display — co-designed by Vanessa — features incredible memorabilia from Bryant’s career … including a piece of the Lower Merion H.S. basketball court, the shoes from his 81-point game, game-worn jerseys, and a video screen showing his Oscar-winning short film, “Dear Basketball.”
The Bryant family got a personal tour of the exhibit minutes ago … and Vanessa captured pics of 1-year-old Capri and 4-year-old Bianka smiling from ear to ear as they get to see their dad’s accomplishments up close.
Vanessa also posted a snap alongside Kobe … saying, “Love you always.”
Of course, this year’s induction is going to be incredibly tough following Bryant’s death in January 2020 … as fellow inductee Kevin Garnett told reporters earlier today, “I don’t think I’m the only one in here that thinks that Kobe Bryant is fairly missed.”
“Kobe Bryant was like a little brother to me.”
Kevin Garnett discusses his relationship with Kobe. @Hoophall pic.twitter.com/SL3RAMLlvM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 14, 2021
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“Miss him everyday and what he brought not just to the game of basketball but to sports period.”
The ceremony is set to kick off on Saturday at 2:30 PM PT … with Kobe, Garnett and Tim Duncan receiving the honors.
Michael Jordan is slated to do the presentation honors for Kobe … with Vanessa giving a speech.
RIP Mamba.