Vanessa Bryant on Monday shared an image of the Lakers' "Black Mamba" tribute jerseys, which honor her late husband Kobe Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
The jerseys — which Kobe co-designed with Nike in 2018 — feature a subtle snakeskin pattern and 16 stars on the side, representative of the Lakers' 16 NBA titles. They also come in both of the numbers Kobe wore in Los Angeles: 8 and 24, the latter of which also includes the No. 2 inside a heart, in honor of Gianna.
Vanessa Bryant previewing the Mamba jerseys 👀🔥🐍
— ShowtimeForum (@ShowtimeForum) August 18, 2020
📸 Via VanessaBryant (IG) pic.twitter.com/RjYuXqLTiX
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The Lakers reportedly will wear the jerseys during Game 4 of their first-round series against the Trail Blazers. That game will come on Aug. 24, or 8/24. Sunday, Aug. 23 — which would have been Bryant's 42nd birthday — also marks the start of "Mamba Week." Nike announced it will donate $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of Kobe and Gianna as part of the week-long celebration.
Here's a closer look at the jerseys:
Nike will also be releasing a dual 8/24 “Black Mamba” Lakers jersey during “Mamba Week,” celebrating both chapters of Kobe Bryant’s career. pic.twitter.com/G2zq34Pqox
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 13, 2020
Bryant and his daughter have received several tributes since their January deaths in a helicopter crash, including from NBA legend Michael Jordan and New York Liberty rookie Sabrina Ionescu, among others. Several NBA teams also committed 24-second shot clock violations — in honor of No. 24 — immediately following Kobe's death.
The Lakers begin their first-round series against Portland on Tuesday.
