This past weekend, the WNBA made a special announcement, revealing this year’s Kobe & Gigi WNBA Advocacy Award recipient! The WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, and Vanessa Bryant presented the award during the NBA All-Star 2023 Game in Utah last night to NBA legend, and 6x All-Star, Pau Gasol.
Pau Gasol has made significant contributions to the advancement of girls and women’s basketball and has been a vocal advocate for the WNBA. The Kobe and Gig Bryant WNBA Advocacy award honors advocates and influencers who use their time, talent, and platform to raise awareness for the WNBA, women’s, and girls’ basketball in various ways. As you all know, Kobe and Gigi were active supporters of female basketball players, both on the collegiate and professional level – they were often spotted courtside at games.
A part of Kobe’s legacy was his commitment to women’s basketball, at every level. And Vanessa is making sure that his and Gigi’s impact carries on.
“I’m so pleased that Pau has been chosen to receive this award. Pau has done so much to promote women and girls in sports and cares deeply about spreading a message of equality, which was so important to Kobe and Gianna,” said Vanessa Bryant. Vanessa has been an active leader, sitting as Chair of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a positive impact for underserved athletes.
“We are grateful of the WNBA and Pau for continuing to honor Kobe and Gianna in this way.”
“Through his work in the community and his support as a WNBA investor, Pau has shown to be a longtime advocate in his career for the league and women’s sports advocate, helping to carry on the legacy of Kobe and Gigi,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Pau serves as a leader for women’s basketball at the national team level and has been a vocal advocate for the prioritization of women in professional and coaching pipelines. Pau is a role model for other male athletes and the league is proud to name him as the 2023 recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award.” On behalf of Pau, the WNBA will make a donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
“It is an honor to receive this distinction, which makes me especially happy because it represents two people who are and will always be in my heart,” said Pau Gasol. “Kobe’s work, especially during his later years, to support women’s sports is an excellent example of where we must direct our efforts to ensure full equality in sports.”
Gasol, a familiar face at WNBA games, is a large vocal supporter of the athletes of the league and what they stand for, and his public advocacy has increased the league’s viewership, sponsorship, and investment.
