Kobe Bryant meant as much to the growth of women's basketball as any other current or former NBA player, and his everlasting impact on the game was on full display at Staples Center on Monday. In remembrance of the Los Angeles Laker legend, several prominent women's basketball figures were asked to speak at the memorial service, including legendary UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, Oregon Ducks' star Sabrina Ionescu, and WNBA icon Diana Taurasi.
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In speaking about Kobe's legacy, Auriemma, Ionescu and Taurasi applauded the way Bryant had pushed the women's game forward, specifically noting how his 13-year old daughter Gianna was poised to become the next great superstar. In discussing GiGi's impressive, Black Mamba-like skill set, Taurasi offered a lighthearted jab at Lakers superstar LeBron James, as she quipped that GiGi had a better turnaround jumper at 11 years old than LeBron has today.
As seen in the clip embedded below, Taurasi's remark about LeBron presented a much needed moment of comedic relief for the 20,000+ in attendance.
Later on in her speech, Taurasi praised GiGi as an inspiration and someone who represents the future of women's hoops.
"Gigi in many ways, represents the future of women’s basketball. A future where a young woman aspires to play in the WNBA. The same way I wanted to be a Laker," Taurasi remarked (H/T LA Times).
"Gigi already had goals to play for UConn that in itself showed her fearless mentality. She represents a time where a young girl doesn’t need permission to play. Her skill would command respect."
Check out Taurasi's full speech in the video embedded below.
Kobe Bryant Reveals Which WNBA Players Could Play In The NBA
Bryant is a huge supporter of women’s basketball.
Kobe Bryant has been a huge supporter of women’s basketball over the last few years and he is constantly bigging up the women who play in the WNBA. Recently, WNBA players got a huge win as their salaries were increased as part of the new CBA. At this point, women’s basketball is becoming a lot more ble from a financial standpoint which will only help to raise the profile of the game.
In a recent interview, Bryant spoke about some of the best WNBA players in the world and how many of them would be able to play in the NBA if given the opportunity. As far as Bryant is concerned, many of them have the talent necessary to keep up.
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“I think there are a couple of players who could play in the NBA right now, honestly,” Bryant said according to CNN. “There’s a lot of players with a lot of skill that could do it. Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Elena Della Donne. There’s a lot of great players out there so they could certainly keep up with them.”
It would certainly be interesting to see women tryout for NBA teams. Back in the 1990s, a woman tried out for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. Of course, I’m talking about Manon Rheaume who was a goalie at the time. With Kobe’s comments in mind, perhaps a team will give a woman a shot, just to see if it could pan out.
