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Vanessa Bryant sparkled in new Instagram photos shared Saturday as she supported her late husband’s former teammate, Pau Gasol, at the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame ceremony.
The widow of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, 41 — who recently designed Nike Potro 8 sneakers in honor of the late sports star — applauded Gasol, Kobe’s close friend and former LA Lakers teammate, when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame .
The philanthropist flaunted her looks in a slew of snaps, including a form-fitting, long-sleeved dress that flowed to the floor.
The dress was made of a shimmering gold fabric that dazzled under the light.
She accessorized her eye-catching ensemble with a set of shiny gold hoop earrings and chunky, gold bangles on her right wrist.
Golden Glam: On Saturday, Vanessa Bryant shared several photos on Instagram of her looking glamorous in a gold body-con dress
Accessories: The widow of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant completed her look with a set of shiny gold hoop earrings and a gold bracelet on one of her wrists
Another shot was taken from the waist up with Vanessa looking straight at the camera as she turned to the side.
She wore her long dark hair, which was straight, down while opting for glamorous makeup. Vanessa opted for a coat of mascara on her lashes and a smoky brown eyeshadow around her eyes.
A warm blush and contour were added to better highlight her cheekbones, while a nude matte shade was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.
Her second post was a solo shot, taken from the waist up, which showed the beauty closing her eyes as she ran both hands through her hair.
She chose to only add emojis to each post’s captions, such as a crown and a trophy.
Vanessa attended the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame Ceremony, which was held on August 12, as the guest of Gasol, 43, who was one of the individuals inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
The NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is one of the most star-studded Hall of Fame classes in recent years.
In addition to Pau, the Loves Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich and Becky Hammon were among the 12 people inducted Saturday.
Paul and the late Kobe Bryant became teammates and close friends after the former was traded in February 2008 from The Memphis Grizzlies to Bryant’s team: The Los Angeles Lakers.
Stunning: In this photo, Vanessa closed her eyes as she ran both hands through her hair while showing off her shiny gold earrings
Support for friends: Vanessa (left) wore the gold body-con dress to the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame ceremony, where she supported Pau Gasol, her late husband’s close friend and former Los Angeles Lakers teammate, who was one of the people inducted into the Hall of Fame (Vanessa sits next to Rob Pelinka, the current General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. Pelinka was Kobe’s agent and is a close family friend of the Bryant.)
The pair led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals from 2008 to 2010, winning two of them. The Lakers lost the 2008 NBA Finals to The Boston Celtics, their historic rivals, in six games. However, the Lakers won in both 2009 and 2010.
The 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals victories would be the only two NBA championships Gasol won over the course of his 20 years in the NBA.
During their six-and-a-half years as teammates on the LA Lakers, Gasol and Bryant formed a close friendship and their families grew close as well. Kobe’s kids refer to his former teammate as “Uncle Pau” by name.
Kobe died in January 2020 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas that killed all nine on board, including his and Vanessa’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
In addition to the late Gianna, Kobe and Vanessa shared three other daughters: 20-year-old Natalia, six-year-old Bianka, and four-year-old Capri. The latter was born seven months before Kobe and Gianna’s untimely deaths.
After Kobe’s death, Pau – who was in Spain at the time – flew back to Southern California with his wife Cat. The pair spent months near the Bryants’ Orange County home to support them in the aftermath of the unspeakable tragedy.
When Pau and Cat welcomed their first child, daughter Elisabet Gianna Gasol, in September 2023, they chose Gianna as their second name for their newborn as a tribute to the late Gianna Bryant and selected Vanesa to be Elizabeth’s godmother.
During the ceremony, Gasol gave an emotional speech and referred to his former teammate, per Sports illustrated.
NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Gasol (left) is part of the star-studded NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023, which includes Dirk Nowitzki (center left), Dwayne Wade (center right), and Tony Parker (right), just to name a few
Kobe x Pau: While with the Los Angeles Lakers, Gasol (right) became teammates and close friends with the late Kobe Bryant (left), after the former was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to Bryant’s team, the Los Angeles Lakers, in February 2008 .
“It changed my life and my career,” he said while referring to joining the Lakers and playing alongside Kobe. ‘There I got to know the person who has taken my game to a higher level like no other. Who taught me what it takes to win at the highest level.’
“Who showed me how hard you have to work and what mindset you need to be the best. The commitment you had to make, what it meant and what it took to be a leader. Kobe.’
When he first joined the team, he recalled Bryant visiting his hotel room to give a warm welcome. “He just wanted to make sure I got the message right away, at the first chance, ‘Welcome to the team. I’m glad you’re here. Now let’s go win a championship together.’”
“I wouldn’t be here without you, brother. I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here with us today. I miss you and love you,” he concluded.