Prior to the 2020 WNBA Draft beginning, the league made three honorary selections.
Comissioner, Cathy Engelbert announced Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester and Alyssa Altobelli as honorary draft picks on the broadcast prior to the New York Liberty making their selection with the No. 1 overall pick.
The three teenage girls were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on January 26.
The WNBA pays tribute to the lives of Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester by selecting them as honorary draftees in the #WNBADraft 2020. pic.twitter.com/AqpZnc4xfo
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 17, 2020
All three were extremely talented basketball players, with dreams of one day hearing their name called at the WNBA Draft. They were heading to an AAU game at the time of the accident.
After their names were called, family members, including Vanessa Bryant provided emotional video messages remembering the three young stars.
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