Vanessa Bryant to release mural book honoring the late Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna
Vanessa Bryant just revealed more plans to honor her late husband and NBA superstar, Kobe Bryant, and daughter, Gianna Bryant.
The 42-year-old mother of four took to Instagram to announce the release date of an upcoming mural book honoring all the works of art her husband and daughter have inspired.
“Kobe and Gianna Mural book highlighting a selection of murals in their honor coming 8/19/25,” Vanessa Bryant wrote on Instagram Jan. 22.
The book, titled “Mamba & Mambacita Forever,” will highlight more than 100 pieces of art from around the world, according to a news release shared by People.
“Taken together, what emerges is the story of a man who became even more than he himself could have imagined, an avatar of determination, discipline and competitiveness,” the release reads.
“He was also a worldwide icon, one of the greatest athletes of our time, a man committed to his family and to fatherhood,” it continues, per People.
The photos inside the book were taken by Andy Bernstein, who worked with Kobe Bryant on his 2018 autobiographical book “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.”
As for the title of the mural book, it was inspired by the family’s nonprofit organization, Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was founded by Kobe Bryant.
Vanessa Bryant’s announcement comes four days before the five-year anniversary of her husband and daughter’s deaths.
On Jan. 26, 2020, Kobe and Gianna Bryant were involved in a helicopter crash that killed nine people. Kobe Bryant was j41 years old. Gianna was 13.
The mural book will be released during Mamba Week, a week-long celebration honoring the Hall of Fame NBA player.
The release date, Aug. 19, falls just four days before the Hall of Famer’s birthday, Aug. 23, and five days before Kobe Bryant Day, celebrated on Aug. 24.
Its release will also come one year after the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a bronze statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant outside Crypto.com Arena.
The statue shows Kobe Bryant kissing his daughter on the forehead. Kobe Bryant is wearing a Philadelphia Eagles beanie that his daughter gifted him for Christmas.
He’s also wearing a WNBA hoodie that resembles the one he wore courtside to a game with his daughter.
“Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl,” Vanessa Bryant said at the unveiling of the statue.
The Lakers also unveiled a separate 19-foot statue of Kobe Bryant outside the arena in February 2024.
