Pau Gasol Names Child After Gianna, Daughter Of Kobe Bryant
Sep 14, 2020, 4:27 PM
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Los Angeles Lakers star and future Hall of Famers Pau Gasol and his wife, Cat, announced the birth of their first child on Sunday. The Gasol’s named their daughter Elisabet Gianna Gasol, honoring Gianna Bryant, the daughter of Kobe Bryant, both of whom were killed along with seven other people in a tragic helicopter crash in January.
“Our little one has finally arrived!!” Gasol said on Instagram. “The delivery went really well and we couldn’t be happier!! Elisabet Gianna Gasol 😍, a very meaningful name for our super beautiful daughter!! ❤️👨👩👧 #girldad”
Gasol has maintained a close relationship with the Bryant family after January’s accident. Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife, posted photos from a boating trip with Gasol and Bryant family children in August.
Vanessa posted her congratulations to the Gasol’s on Instagram.
“Love you 3!!!,” Bryant wrote. Congratulations!!”
Gasol played with Bryant in a Lakers uniform between 2008 and 2014. The Lakers won two championships after Gasol joined the team, bringing Bryant’s career total up to five.
Gasol most recently signed to play for the Portland Trail Blazers but never saw the floor as he deals with a foot injury stemming from last season. The six-time All-Star turned 40 in July and has spent 18 season’s in the NBA.