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For Mambacita
Gianna Bryant wanted to dominate the court with the Mamba Mentality her father invented
Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
A tiny powerhouse came across my timeline a few years ago, playing a mean game of one-on-one with a future NBA Hall of Famer. The setup was adorable yet fierce: Gianna “Mambacita” Bryant stayed toe-to-toe with her father, Kobe Bryant, her small frame seemingly quadrupled by his. With quick footwork, she executed her layup, and a viral darling was born.
The impact of 13-year-old Gianna Bryant may have been fleeting, but it was breathtaking. As she entered her teen years, it was clear she wasn’t interested in being a thing of beauty or a socialite influencer like so many of her peers — she wanted to dominate the court with the Mamba Mentality her father invented.
This is the part where I admit that, enthusiasm aside, I’ve never been much of an athlete. In high school, I once had to stay in gym class until I made a single basket; let’s just say my PE teacher didn’t try to recruit me for the junior varsity team. Aside from completing a couple half marathons, my stat sheet is pretty bare. But I’ve been a sports fan my entire life — and seeing Gigi attached to Kobe’s hip, learning as much as she…
