Natalia Bryant had nothing but admiration for her father, Kobe Bryant, during the Hollywood Handprint Ceremony that took place recently.
The ceremony saw the Bryant family reveal Kobe's permanent handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, a prominent location in Hollywood.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's wife, was accompanied by her daughters Natalia, 20, Bianka, 6, and Capri, 3, as they revealed a heartfelt tribute to the late NBA legend.
Natalia Bryant pays tribute to Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, the former Los Angeles Lakers star, made history in 2011 when he became the first athlete to have his hands and feet imprinted in cement at the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, as reported by TODAY.
As a tribute to his legacy, the theater recently permanently placed his handprints and footprints in the venue's forecourt on March 15.
Vanessa Bryant and her daughters attended the ceremony to unveil the memorial, which will be the first of its kind at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
The TCL Chinese Theatre is known for having many celebrity handprints and footprints on display. However, these imprints are often switched out and replaced with new ones.
Bryant's prints will be the first to be permanently placed in the theater's forecourt for all to see.
Kobe Bryant's concrete slab features his handprints and footprints, the original date he made them, February 19, 2011, and "#24," one of his famous Lakers jersey numbers.
According to People, during the ceremony, Kobe's oldest daughter, Natalia, gave a heartfelt speech to honor her father.
Natalia spoke about how her dad, who introduced her to many classic movies like the Marvel universe, Harry Potter, and Star Wars, among others, sparked her passion for film.
She mentioned that Kobe is why she is pursuing film in college, and he inspired her to create memories for others as they did.
Natalia also expressed how honored she is to recognize her dad's legacy, calling him the "MVP of girl dads."
She shared her memories of Kobe's work ethic as a basketball player and how he always made time for his daughters despite his busy schedule.
Kobe Bryant and Gianna's death
As stated on USA Today, on January 26, 2020, the sports world was shocked when news broke that Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other individuals had died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
The news sent shockwaves worldwide as fans and colleagues mourned the loss of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Kobe Bryant's legacy in the sport of basketball is undeniable. He was a five-time NBA champion, an 18-time All-Star, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
He was also known for his fierce competitiveness and his unrelenting work ethic.
In the wake of his tragic death, fans and colleagues paid tribute to him by wearing his jersey, sharing stories of his greatness, and leaving flowers and memorabilia at makeshift memorials across the country.
However, the tragedy hit the Bryant family the hardest. Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's wife, was left to mourn the loss of her husband and daughter.
She has since been working to carry on Kobe's legacy and commemorate his good work in basketball.
In August 2020, Vanessa launched the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young girls and promoting gender equality in sports.
The foundation is named after Kobe and Gianna's nicknames, "Mamba" and "Mambacita," respectively.
