‘I miss you every day’ — Vanessa Bryant pays tribute to daughter Gianna on day she would have turned 15

On what would have been her 15th birthday, Vanessa Bryant is paying tribute to her daughter Gianna, who died alongside her father, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, when their helicopter crashed in California last year.

“Dear Gianna, Happy 15th Birthday! I love you!” Bryant captioned in an Instagram post that showed a picture of the two from years ago. “I miss you everyday! I wish you were here with us. There are no words to express how much I miss you. I love you Mamacita!”

In a second post showing Bryant and her daughters, she wrote, “Today is my Baby’s Birthday. When I thought about how best to celebrate Gianna’s birthday with so many who loved her, I knew it had to be a combination of sharing her bright and fun personality with her sense of purpose and passion that would help make a difference in this world. Gianna was kind, energetic, a leader, and had so much MAMBACITA swag.”

Prior to Gianna’s birthday, Bryant debuted a new apparel brand that would benefit the recently relaunched Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to empower young girls and give new chances for opportunities to underserved athletes.

Some of the clothing items include sweatpants which include the number two on the leg, representing Gianna who wore that number when she played basketball

“I am so proud of the limited-edition MAMBACITA x DANNIJO tie-dye sweat set capsule collection, which celebrates Gigi’s spirit in every little detail – even the placement of #PlayGigisWay on the right arm of each hoodie— her shooting arm,” Bryant explained But what Gigi would love most about the Collection is that 100% of the proceeds will support the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which is dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes and young women in sports,” Vanessa explained in the Instagram post.

“Gigi was especially motivated to change the way everyone viewed women in sports, and it’s fitting that this capsule represents her values. Thank you to everyone who made this fundraiser possible, inspired by the loving memory of Gianna Maria- Onor’e Bryant. Please know our family deeply appreciates the way the world continues to celebrate our sweet girl, and we look forward to paying it forward to future Lil MAMBACITAS and Lady Mambas through the work of our Foundation. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIGI!!!!” she added.