💜💛 Bronny James Honors Gigi Bryant with “Play Like Gigi” Bracelet in Powerful Tribute to Mamba Legacy 💛💜
By Elena Martínez | July 26, 2025
LOS ANGELES — In the high-stakes world of basketball, where every gesture is analyzed and every move can spark a headline, Bronny James has chosen a subtle, deeply emotional way to pay tribute to someone who shaped his early years on and off the court—Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.
Eagle-eyed fans and photographers noticed it during the Summer League in Las Vegas: a simple black-and-gold wristband on Bronny’s left wrist, engraved with the words “Play Like Gigi.” What seemed at first like a fashion accessory has now become a powerful symbol of remembrance, resilience, and respect—an unspoken connection between Bronny James and the late Gigi Bryant, daughter of Kobe Bryant, who perished in the tragic helicopter crash of January 2020.
> “I wear this for her,” Bronny said quietly in a post-game interview, tugging gently at the bracelet. “For what she stood for. Her energy, her drive—it was different. You felt it, even when we were kids.”
Childhood Ties, Lifelong Impact
Bronny and Gigi were more than just children of basketball royalty. Their families—bonded by friendship, admiration, and shared greatness—often spent time together. From youth tournaments to Lakers games, Bronny and Gigi shared sideline laughs, shooting sessions, and the type of pure childhood memories untainted by fame.
Photos from 2017 and 2018 show Bronny and Gigi sitting together courtside at Staples Center, trading smiles while their fathers talked game strategy. In one now-viral clip, a 10-year-old Gigi drains a three-pointer, only for Bronny to react with raised eyebrows and a clap of appreciation—a moment now viewed millions of times on social media.
> “She had that fire even back then,” said LeBron James during an appearance on The Shop. “Gigi wasn’t playing for fun. She was playing to win. She was built from the same cloth as her father—and Bronny knew that. They pushed each other.”
The Meaning Behind the Band
The “Play Like Gigi” bracelet, Bronny revealed, was custom-made before the NBA Combine earlier this year. Crafted in purple and gold—the Lakers’ iconic colors—it also bears a tiny etching of the number 2, Gigi’s jersey number, on the inside.
He’s worn it during every workout, scrimmage, and official appearance since then. Not for show, he insists, but for grounding.
> “Every time I touch the ball, I think about how Gigi would’ve attacked the game. With love, with pride, with no fear,” Bronny said. “That’s how I want to play—not just for myself, but for her too.”
Coaches and teammates have noticed the change. “Bronny’s focus has shifted,” said Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy. “You can see it—he’s not just playing like LeBron’s son anymore. He’s carrying something deeper.”
A Legacy Bigger Than the Game
Gianna Bryant was widely regarded as a rising star in the women’s basketball world. Under her father’s mentorship, she embraced the famed Mamba Mentality—a philosophy rooted in obsession, discipline, and excellence. Her dream of playing for UConn and in the WNBA inspired a generation, and her death left a void in the sport that still aches.
Now, through Bronny’s tribute, her legacy finds new breath.
> “Gigi’s spirit lives in the way people approach the game—with grit, with joy, with fearlessness,” said Vanessa Bryant in a statement posted to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. “Bronny’s gesture means the world to us.”
The Next Chapter
Bronny James, now a rising rookie in the NBA and widely followed in his journey to step out of his father’s towering shadow, carries expectations that would crush most 20-year-olds. But in honoring Gigi, he’s also stepping into a role few anticipated: a steward of a legacy that transcends wins and losses.
As the crowd roared during a late three-pointer in a Summer League match, Bronny held his wrist high in the air. Cameras caught the flash of gold on black: Play Like Gigi.
A simple phrase. A powerful reminder.
And perhaps, the beginning of something much greater.
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Elena Martínez is a senior culture and sports correspondent based in Los Angeles. She covers the intersection of identity, legacy, and athletic excellence.
