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Vanessa Bryant glammed up in new Instagram photos shared on Saturday as she supported her late husband’s former teammate Pau Gasol at the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame ceremony.
The widow of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, 41 – who recently designed Nike Potro 8 sneakers in honor of the late sports star – cheered on Gasol, Kobe’s close friend and former L.A. Lakers teammate, as he was enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
The philanthropist showed off her look in a slew of snaps which comprised of a figure-hugging, long-sleeved gown that flowed down towards the ground.
The dress was made of a shimmering gold fabric that dazzled under the light.
She accessorized her eye-catching ensemble with a set of shiny gold hoop earrings and chunky, gold bracelets on her right wrist.
Golden Glam: On Saturday, Vanessa Bryant shared several photos on Instagram of herself looking glamorous in a gold body-con gown
Accessories: The widow of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant completed her look with a set of shiny gold hoop earrings and a gold bracelet on one of her wrists
Another image was taken from the waist up as Vanessa looked straight into the camera while turning sideways.
She wore her long dark hair, which was straightened, down as she opted for glammed up makeup. Vanessa opted for a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a smoky, brown shadow around her eyes.
A warm blush and contour was added to better accentuate her cheekbones while a nude-colored, matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.
Her second post was a solo shot, taken from the waist up, which showed the beauty closing her eyes as she ran both of her hands through her hair.
She opted to add only emojis to the captions of each posts, such as a crown and a trophy.
Vanessa attended the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame Ceremony, which was held on August 12, as a guest of Gasol, 43, who was among the individuals being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
The NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is one of the most star-studded Hall of Fame classes in recent years.
In addition to Pau, the likes of Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, and Becky Hammon were among the 12 people that were inducted on Saturday.
Paul and the late Kobe Bryant became teammates and close friends after the former was traded in February 2008 from The Memphis Grizzlies to Bryant’s team: The Los Angeles Lakers.
Stunning: In this photo, Vanessa closing her eyes as she ran both of her hands through her hair while showing off her shiny gold hoop earrings
Support for friends: Vanessa (left) wore the gold body-con gown to the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame ceremony, where she supported Pau Gasol (right), her late husband’s close friend and former Los Angeles Lakers teammate who was among the people getting inducted into the Hall of Fame
The pair led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals from 2008 to 2010, winning two of them. The Lakers lost the 2008 NBA Finals to The Boston Celtics, their historic rivals, in six games. However, The Lakers won in both 2009 and 2010.
The 2009 and The 2010 NBA Finals victories would be the only two NBA Championships that Gasol won over the course of his 20 years in the NBA.
During their six-and-a-half years as teammates on the L.A. Lakers, Gasol and Bryant formed a close friendship and their families became close as well. Kobe’s children notably call his former teammate ‘Uncle Pau.’
Kobe passed away in January 2020 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas that killed all nine people on board, including his and Vanessa’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
In addition to the late Gianna, Kobe and Vanessa shared three other daughters: 20-year-old Natalia, six-year-old Bianka, and four-year-old Capri. The latter was born seven months before Kobe’s and Gianna’s untimely deaths.
Following Kobe’s death, Pau – who was in Spain at the time – flew back to Southern California with his wife Cat. The pair spent months staying near the Bryants’ house in Orange County to support them following the aftermath of the unspeakable tragedy.
When Pau and Cat welcomed their first child, daughter Elisabet Gianna Gasol, in September 2023, they chose Gianna as their newborn’s middle name in homage to the late Gianna Bryant and selected Vanessa to be Elisabet’s godmother.
During the ceremony, Gasol gave an emotional speech and referenced his former teammate, per Sports Illustrated.
NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Gasol (left) is part of the star-studded NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023, which includes the likes of Dirk Nowitzki (center on the left), Dwayne Wade (center on the right), and Tony Parker (right), to name a few
Kobe x Pau: While on the Los Angeles Lakers, Gasol (right) became teammates and close friends with the late Kobe Bryant (left), after the former was traded in February 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies to Bryant’s team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
‘It changed my life and my career,’ he expressed as he referenced to joining the Lakers and playing alongside Kobe. ‘That’s where I got to know the person who elevated my game like no other. Who taught me what it took to win at the highest level.’
‘Who showed me how hard you have to work, and the mentality you needed to have in order to be the best. The commitment you had to make, what it meant and what it took to be a leader. Kobe.’
When he first came to the team, he recalled Bryant visiting his hotel room to give a warm welcome. ‘He just wanted to make sure that, right away, first chance, I got the message: “Welcome to the team. I’m happy you’re here. Now let’s go win a championship together.”‘
‘I wouldn’t be here without you, brother. I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here today with us. I miss you and love you,’ he concluded.
