COMPTON — As Vanessa Bryant walked past the outside walls of the Wilson Park Gymnasium, she smiled at the murals painted of her late husband Kobe Bryant and late daughter Gianna Bryant.
The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, in collaboration with BodyArmor, opened up a refurbished outdoor basketball court and revealed new murals of Kobe and Gianna on Friday morning in front of community members in Compton.
The tiled court is Lakers purple and gold with a white logo at center court with Kobe and Gianna’s names etched in black lettering. The murals were done by Los Angeles artist Sloe, who has painted murals of Los Angeles celebrities around the city.
Among those in attendance were Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, former Sparks center Lisa Leslie and current Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young.
Vanessa Bryant said building a public basketball court was a goal of the Bryant family dating to Kobe’s playing days.
“For years we’ve been trying to build a basketball court in a public space in L.A. and we’re so thankful to council member (Andre) Spicer and Mayor (Emma) Sharif for allowing us to be included in your community,” Vanessa Bryant said.
The Wilson Park basketball court is the 10th court that BodyArmor has refurbished in the past year. BodyArmor CEO Federico Muyshondt said this court was by far his favorite court to design.
“The meaning of what it means to be here in L.A. makes this extra special,” Muyshondt said. “This is the town that Kobe Bryant played in, it’s the city that he built.”
Young, a BodyArmor-sponsored athlete, grew up idolizing Kobe. He sat down for a Q&A as well as helped with teaching a few moves to kids who were invited to the court’s opening.
“Growing up idolizing Kobe … it was an honor for me to be in his presence,” Young said.
Young said being a part of the court’s opening was special to him because of his relationship with Kobe and Gianna.
“I’m excited and honored to be a part of this,” Young said. “I remember being a part of certain courts and just being able to get better at my game on these courts.”
The All-Star guard’s name has come up in possible trade discussions involving the Lakers since the team’s season ended with a loss to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. Young was spotted courtside during that series and he is a client of Klutch Sports, the same agency that represents LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Though Young would not comment on any of the speculation regarding the reports of the Lakers’ interest in trading for him, he did say fans might catch him on the court in Los Angeles this summer.
“Yeah you may see me in the Drew League,” Young said. “I don’t know if I’ll be playing or I may be playing, so who knows.”
Leslie, who also had a close relationship with Bryant, said she was happy the community was able to refurbish the court and thinks projects like these will provide more opportunities for young people in Compton.
“I always say when I have the chance to talk to kids, I may not reach all of you, but I may reach just one of you. That’s what this court is about. It’s about giving you an opportunity,” Leslie said. “We can’t tell you when to come out here and when to hone your skills, but you have an opportunity and somebody’s going to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Source: Orange County Register
Be First to Comment