On her eighteenth birthday, Vanessa Bryant unveils a sneaker tribute to her late daughter Gigi

Vanessa Bryant is releasing a unique line of sneakers with a butterfly theme in remembrance of her late daughter on the day when she would have turned eighteen.

The Kobe 8 Protro “Mambacita” honors Gianna “Gigi” Bryant and recognizes the happiness she brought to basketball and athletes worldwide. On May 1 at 11 a.m. ET, the limited-edition footwear will be accessible via the Nike SNKRS app.

Vanessa celebrated Gigi’s 18th birthday by posting a couple pictures of the unique footwear on Instagram.

“The game was altered by Gi Gi. Indefinitely. “We are honored to commemorate Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s eighteenth birthday on 5.1 and her revolutionary contribution to elevating women’s sports through the introduction of the Kobe 8 Protro ‘Mambacita,'” she said in the description of a video that showcased the sneaker.

Her caption went on to say that the sneakers are available on SNKRS in some areas and that the revenues will go toward funding Vanessa’s charitable organization, the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports underprivileged young athletes.

More information on the shoe’s design and Gigi’s influence on the game can be found in the description of the soon-to-be-released shoe on Nike’s website.

“Arriving on her 18th birthday, the colorway is inspired by her youth basketball team’s uniform while the butterfly pattern nods to Gigi’s transformational impact on the game,” according to the shoe’s description.

“Personal details, like Gigi’s name and number on the heel, serve as a gentle reminder to play with enthusiasm, curiosity, and rivalry—always remembering to seize the moment, just like Gigi did. And the golden “Mambacita” heart and wings allow you to carry Gigi’s love of sports into the future when it comes time to take the court.”

In an Instagram post from almost two weeks ago, Vanessa paid tribute to her late husband Kobe on their wedding anniversary.

“Happy Anniversary @kobebryant #23” is the caption for a montage of old photos with Kobe and Vanessa declaring their love for one another with a smile and a kiss.

Several of Vanessa’s friends only shared red heart emojis in the comments section.

A commenter said, “Very lovely pictures. We appreciate you sharing these precious moments with all of us.” “Happy Anniversary,” remarked another. I am really in love with you right now.”