In Kobe’s final sit-down interview, he talks about upcoming projects and daughter Gigi
In his final on-camera interview, NBA legend Kobe Bryant spoke to USA TODAY’s Mark Medina about life after basketball and his daughter Gigi’s favorite NBA player.
After retiring from the NBA, Kobe Bryant quickly moved on to other projects that he was passionate about in his newfound free time.
These projects led for 20 years Los Angeles Lakers The seasoned Oscar winner and respected by many as #girldad.
Life after basketball was tragically cut short after Bryant and eight other passengers, including his daughter Gianna, lost their lives in a helicopter crash.
Bryant spoke with former reporter Mark Medina in his last on-camera interview days before the crash.
Kobe Bryant’s Passion Projects
Bryant created a series of books called “The Weisnard Series: Training Camp” that chronicled his biggest influences from his career. A penchant for storytelling can be expressed with the characters, including Phil Jackson and Bill Russell.
He also had plans to turn his books into feature films. Bryant found success in the film industry, winning an Oscar for his short film “Dear Basketball.”
“They’re at the top for me,” Bryant said during an interview with USA Today about the entertainment awards. “It’s not something that was expected. As a kid, you have a goal to win a championship. Being in the industry that I’m in now it wasn’t something that was thought about. “
As an executive producer, he won Best Animated Short Film in 2018. The film was based on a poem published in 2015 for the Players’ Tribune announcing his retirement from the NBA.
Kobe Bryant as #girldad
Bryant was seen with Gianna at several NBA and WNBA basketball events after her retirement.
#Girldad became a trending phrase on social media following Bryant’s death after the ESPN SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan shares her story About her interaction with Kobe when she was eight months pregnant and the two had a conversation about their daughters.
Bryant, who had four daughters, told Duncan, “I’d have five more girls if I could, I’m a girl’s father.”
Kobe shares a bond with Gianna, the second of his daughters, through his love of basketball.
“She really enjoyed the speed of the game and the aggressiveness of the game,” Bryant told USA TODAY after attending NBA games. “It’s something he really enjoyed watching. It’s one thing to see it on TV but it’s another thing to see it there.
Bryant also had the opportunity to coach his daughter and his team.
“It’s been great,” he said. “You see them grow and develop. It’s more important than the game itself that you realize that their confidence as young women grows tremendously through playing the game and you know about that. It should be kept in mind.
In August of 2024, a statue was unveiled in front of Kobe and Guyana’s Crypto.com arena.