Vanessa Bryant Honors Gigi After UConn's 12th Title

The UConn women's basketball team won their 12th national championship by defeating South Carolina with a decisive 82-59 victory. Vanessa Bryant, widow of Kobe Bryant, expressed her heartfelt congratulations on Instagram, highlighting how her late daughter Gigi, a devoted fan of UConn, 'would've loved being there.' Gigi Bryant, who tragically passed away alongside her father in a helicopter crash in 2020, had aspired to play for the Huskies. UConn honored her memory by placing a No. 2 jersey and flowers on the bench. Gigi's passion for basketball and her dream of playing for UConn deeply connected the Bryant family to the team, making the victory emotionally significant. The Huskies' dominant win was led by players like Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong, and marked coach Geno Auriemma's 12th national title.