Vanessa Bryant joined Nickerson Gardens residents in Watts for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the opening of a refurbished gym at the public housing community. The project was chosen by Vanessa Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in honor of Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba League” youth basketball program, which was previously hosted at the former Boys and Girls Club site.
Honoring Kobe’s Legacy 💜💛
- “The site is a special location for my family,” Vanessa Bryant said. “He used basketball to teach life lessons to young boys and girls.”
- The renovated gym features a mural of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna, designed by artist Brian Peterson.
- Peterson’s work includes the “Forever Courtside sculpture” at the Anaheim Dream Court and the “More Than an Athlete” mural in Hollywood.
Inspiring the Next Generation 🏀
- USC basketball star JuJu Watkins, who grew up in Watts, attended the ceremony and emphasized the importance of accessibility.
- “To see Vanessa and everybody just come together and create something amazing for the community and allow young people to pursue their dreams is just amazing,” Watkins said.
A Community Hub 🏡
- Nickerson Gardens, managed by the Housing Authority of Los Angeles, was designed by renowned architect Paul Revere Williams.
- The housing complex has 1,066 units and shared open spaces, including a central playground.
Carrying on Kobe and Gianna’s Legacy 💫
- Vanessa Bryant is the chair of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which aims to create opportunities for underserved young athletes.
- The nonprofit honors Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020.
via: NBC Los Angeles
photo: The Source
