2023年12月，南加州大学女子篮球队的主教练林赛-戈特利布向球队宣布了一个激动人心的消息：朱朱-沃特金斯带领特洛伊人队成功闯入精英八强。在这个特别时刻，戈特利布展示了一双由Mamba and Mambacita体育基金会赠送的新款球鞋——Nike Kobe 8 Protro，每一双都与南加州大学的配色相得益彰。
“我常常想到那些在女子篮球尚未崭露头角之前就关心它的人。科比就是其中之一，”戈特利布哽咽着说道，同时擦去眼角的泪水。“他所留下最伟大的遗产是成就，而这正是科比的一部分。他让我们明白，女子篮球同样重要。”
这一感人的瞬间源自瓦妮莎·布莱恩特，她策划了此活动，以体现科比持久而深远的影响力。作为全国知名女篮教练之一，戈特利布领导着历史悠久的校队，并将科比视为女性运动员的重要倡导者。这种声音正在越来越多地被听见。
在科比意外离世五周年之际，他依旧活跃于我们的记忆中，无论是在雕像、湖人退役球衣上还是许多现役NBA明星们脑海中的身影，以及整个NBA文化和精神里。同时，他对约内斯库、洛伊德及奥贡博瓦尔等女篮运动员产生了持续影响，这份力量也体现在每位出现在WNBA比赛现场观众席上的名流以及无数年轻女孩追逐梦想奋斗过程之中，包括朱朱·沃特金斯本人。
“科比不仅仅是一位优秀的篮球运动员，”洛伊德表示，“他的影响早已超越了竞技场，是一种生活方式，对无数人的思想和灵魂产生积极作用。他懂得如何利用自己的知识，让更多人成长。”
尽管如今没有他的身影，但这些年轻女性仍能感觉到来自于他那股坚定存在。“如果看到今天蓬勃发展的女子篮球，我相信他一定非常骄傲，”西雅图风暴队球员斯凯拉·迪金斯-史密斯说，“他一直全力支持联盟，也确保自己能够成为资源与支持方面真正意义上的倡导者，为所有参与者创造空间……可以毫不夸张地说，如今他的影响遍及整个赛事。”
若你曾关注过20年前发生的一切，就会意识到这种变化有多么不可思议。当年因性侵犯指控陷入舆论漩涡并受到了恶劣攻击后，从英雄转变为公敌几乎是不可能想象。但最终，那段艰难岁月塑造出了今日坚持推广女性体育事业形象复杂却真实的人物。虽然对于这样的转变可称其讽刺或救赎，但无法否认的是，在改变女人打籃球范式方面， 科比分担起举足轻重的位置，使WNBA获得提升，其未来光辉亦必然归功于曼巴留给世界的不灭印记。
"我是第一个看见有人如此广泛且持续推广女子篮球的人。" NBA巨星施蒂芬·库里回忆道：“从Gigi所在球队，到整体女生联赛，都可以发现她愿意花时间接触，用行动来证明价值。从她与约内斯库之间建立关系，再到频繁出现在各大赛事中，可谓不遗余力。此外，还开放设施供女孩训练等等，这是令人敬佩！”
women's basketball is gaining unprecedented attention, with the rise of new leagues like Unrivaled last summer. Women’s college basketball has never been more mainstream, as top female athletes now receive recognition that was often denied to their predecessors. All this progress can be traced back in part to Kobe's vision.
The impact he had on these girls' lives was tangible; through training sessions, phone calls, public praise—Kobe made sure they were seen and heard. Even his simple act of wearing a WNBA hoodie turned it into an iconic symbol for many young players.
Kobe also brought credibility and validation that deeply resonated within women's sports circles. Phil Handy, who served long tenures coaching both the Lakers and Cavaliers noted how transformative those interactions with Kobe were towards understanding women’s game better than before: “When he retired and began working closely with Gianna,” Hand said about their time together at Mamba Academy where "he really wanted to invest heavily.” His conversations inspired me immensely."
Curry fondly recalled having dinner shortly before Kobes passing discussing various business ventures but finding themselves instead captivated by stories told around inspiring kids beyond just athletics - especially girls witnessing different sides from him felt refreshing!
Nafessa Collier ,one organizer behind Unrivaled shared similar sentiments recalling her husband Alex Bazel worked alongside Girlfriend Girls team during its inception while highlighting KOBE 's genuine intentions meant so much! He set aside fame/identity solely focused ensuring best opportunities arose outta respectfulness which spoke volumes regarding character shown throughout life lived!"< p>This final image captured December 2019 shows proud father embracing daughter GIGI donning orange hoodies watching Laker match against Mavericks perfectly encapsulates role model status held dear among everyone involved showcasing dedication mentoring youth aspiring greatness via sport whether male or female alike– something COLLIER hopes emulate someday too!” ”” I aspire becoming someone akin/KOBE himself..” she stated passionately reflecting admiration toward legacy left behind impacting future generations positively forevermore!!
