2023年12月，南加州大学女子篮球队主教练林赛·戈特利布向她的球队宣布了一个惊喜：朱朱·沃特金斯带领特洛伊人队（南加州大学校队）成功晋级精英八强。戈特利布展示了一双由Mamba and Mambacita体育基金会赠送的新款球鞋——Nike Kobe 8 Protro，每一双都与南加州大学的配色相匹配。
“我常常想到那些在女子篮球尚未受到关注时就关心它的人们，你们知道吗？科比早在那之前就对女子篮球表现出了极大的热情，”戈特利布动情地说道，她含泪擦去眼角。“我认为，一个人能留下的最伟大遗产就是成就，而这正是科比所做的一部分。他让我们明白，女子篮球非常重要。”
这一感人的瞬间得到了瓦妮莎·布莱恩特的精心策划，这也体现了科比持久影响力的一种缩影。作为全国最受尊敬的女篮教练之一，戈特利布领导着历史悠久的女篮校队，并将科比视为女性运动员的重要倡导者。而她只是越来越多此类声音中的一员。
五年前，科比意外去世，但他的精神依然存在于各个方面。从雕像到湖人退役号码，再到许多现役NBA球星和整个NBA文化中，他始终如影随形。同时，在约内斯库、洛伊德和奥贡博瓦尔等女球员身上，也可以看到他传递下来的力量。这份影响不仅体现在每位WNBA比赛场边出现名人的身上，更融入每一个努力追逐梦想的小女孩之中，包括朱朱·沃特金斯。
"科比赋予我们的，不仅是关于胜负，还有一种生活方式，它深刻地改变了无数人的思想和灵魂。" 洛伊德表示，“他明白，通过篮球，可以传承自己的知识。” 科比如今被认为是一位杰出的运动员，其光环以及支持延伸至女性领域。他认可这些女孩也是优秀玩家，为她们打开通往更广阔体育世界的大门，与其分享价值观念，无疑提升了她们参与竞技活动的重要性。
即使面对挑战，如今仍有不少女性选手能够感受到来自于已故传奇人物的不懈鼓励。“如果他看到如今女子篮球的发展，一定会非常自豪，”西雅图风暴队球员斯凯拉•迪金斯-史密斯说，“尽管经历过波折，但他从不吝啬给予资源与支持，总是在为我们争取更多空间……如今，我们所取得的一切，都离不开他的巨大影响。”
回顾20年前，当时因一起丑闻而令自己成为公众敌害，此后的转变令人瞩目。在14个月持续不断的信息轰炸后，很难想象那个曾经出庭应诉、又频繁奔走于季后赛之间的人，会最终演化成今天这个积极推动女性权威角色发展的形象。这既可称作讽刺或救赎，也是复杂人生必然呈现出的矛盾。但不可否认的是，科学家对于改变传统范式及促进妇女平等确实发挥了举足轻重作用，使得今日WNBA焕发新的生机.
"这是我第一次见证有人如此坚持并推广女生打球," 库里谈论起当年的情况, "这不仅限于Gigi所在团队，还包括整个女人界。通过接触年轻姑娘，以及亲临现场观看，我意识到他的决策展现出巨大的责任感与榜样效应."
women's basketball has reached new heights in popularity and potential. Last summer saw the establishment of a new women's 3x3 league called Unrivaled, meticulously crafted by WNBA players on the foundation of sports viability. Women’s college basketball is more mainstream than ever before, with top female athletes receiving well-deserved attention that contrasts sharply with their predecessors who often operated in isolation.
The greatness of these women can be attributed to their talent and hard work but also stems from being seen by someone like Kobe Bryant. When he acknowledged them, it brought visibility not just for themselves but for all aspiring young girls around the world pursuing similar dreams.
Kobe offered tangible support through calls and training sessions while publicly praising them at every opportunity—his very presence helped elevate WNBA merchandise into iconic status simply because he wore it.
This benefit extended beyond mere physical endorsements; his credibility was invaluable as he directed his immense influence toward advancing women's interests within sport culture itself.
< P >Even Phil Handy—a long-time Lakers assistant coach now leading Unrivaled—recognized how impactful Kobe had been on understanding women’s game dynamics: “I’ve always held some interest previously,” said Handy about engaging deeper since retirement began focusing efforts alongside Gianna & other younger talents during practices together.” He further noted conversations they shared regarding strategic ways forward enhanced overall coaching philosophies throughout this realm."
< p > Curry recalls dining shortly before tragedy struck where discussions intended exploring business ventures morfed instead towards storytelling aimed inspiring youth imaginations across varied disciplines—not limited solely athletics alone…”That different side really resonated especially amongst girl communities” added Steph reflecting fondly upon those moments spent transitioning ideas over dinner tables filled laughter among friends past present alike! ”