KOBE BRYANT'S WIDOW, VANESSA, GIFTS SNEAKERS TO DODGERS

 LOS ANGELES -- Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers received some special footwear Saturday, courtesy of Kobe Bryant's widow.

On the eighth anniversary of Bryant's last NBA game, Vanessa Bryant gave members of the Dodgers exclusive sneakers in a team color scheme from the late basketball star's signature Nike line.

The club posted a thank-you message to Vanessa Bryant with photos of the sneakers on X and shared video on Instagram of players opening their new Nike Kobe 6 LA Dodgers PE shoes.

Betts said he was going to wear them every day, and manager Dave Roberts said: "These are ridiculous. I'm going to rock these with Mamba pride."

The Dodgers went on to beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Saturday night.

Bryant scored 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz at home in the last game of his career on April 13, 2016, often referred to as Mamba Day in a nod to his Black Mamba nickname.

He died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

- ESPN News Services

VANESSA BRYANT’S DAUGHTERS NATALIA, BIANCA & CAPRI ARE TWINING IN THIS FULL-FAMILY MODELING MOMENT

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While Vanessa Bryant’s eldest daughter Natalia Bryant is already a supermodel-in-the-making, it seems her two youngest daughters, Bianka Bryant and Capri Bryant are ready to have their adorable modeling moment!

In partnership with the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation, Vanessa shared a series of photos of her daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri modeling the latest, vibrant red collection. She shared the photos with the caption reading, “🔻To make this special time of the year extra festive… the Red Capsule Collection is available now🔻 As always, all proceeds will go towards our mission of bringing positive impact to athletes and boys & girls in sports. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all your support in furthering Kobe and Gianna’s legacy ❤️ Happy Holidays! #MambaForever #PlayGigisWay ❤️ (To purchase: follow link in bio).

KOBE BRYANT NIKES: UCONN, USC, UK, LSU, DUKE & OREGON ... Selected To Wear Signature Shoes

Expect to see Bronny James and Paige Bueckers in a fresh pair of Kobe Bryant kicks this season ... 'cause six bigtime NCAA hoops powerhouses were selected as "Mamba Programs" and will be wearing the NBA legend's Nike sneakers on the court this year!

Vanessa Bryant made the announcement via social media on Tuesday ... listing the universities that were picked as the first group to represent her husband's Nike brand.

VANESSA BRYANT: EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE ON KOBE'S BIRTHDAY ... 'I Love You Always & Forever'

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The tributes are pouring in on what would have been Kobe Bryant's 45th birthday ... with the late Lakers legend's wife, Vanessa, sharing an emotional post.

"Happy birthday, baby. I love you always & forever. ❤️ #82378," Vanessa said on Instagram alongside several pics of the couple together.

VANESSA BRYANT | BASKETBALL LEGEND KOBE BRYANT'S WIDOW WIDOW

 

TAYLOR SWIFT HUGS KOBE'S DAUGHTER ONSTAGE ... At 'Eras' Show In L.A

Taylor Swift shared a special moment with Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's daughter, Bianka, during her "Eras" Tour stop in Los Angeles ... gifting the 6-year-old her "Red" hat and a big hug.

Vanessa and her daughters were among the Swifties for the singer's first of six sold-out concerts at SoFi Stadium on Thursday ... with mom decked out in a custom jean jacket to honor the late Lakers legend.

But, it was Bianka who had her wildest dreams come true ... with Swift picking her out of the crowd and bringing her up to the stage in the middle of the show.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPI. TE AMO POR SIMPRE. AMORE ETERNO. ❤️💔 43.” | VANESSA BRYANT

 

VANESSA BRYANT ON WHAT KOBE USED TO TELL HE RON WHY HE PLAYED THROUGH INJURIES

 

MICHAEL JORDAN AND VANESSA BRYANT GETS EMOTIONAL SPEAKING ABOUT KOBE BRYANT IN THE HALL OF FAME

VANESSA BRYANT | HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT SPEECH

NBA LEGEND KOBE BRYANT INDUCTED IN NAISMITH HALL OF FAME

Kobe Bryant, 5-time NBA champion and 4th all-time scorer will be posthumously be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall Basketball of Fame...

VANESSA BRYANT DESCRIBES TATOO HONOURING KOBE & GIGI 'BEAUTIFUL'

Vanessa Bryant wife of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and mother of the late GiGi Bryant has praised a tatoo painted in honour of the late legend and daughter who died in a helicopter crash recently...

VANESSA BRYANT'S SPEECH AT THE MEMORIAL FOR HUSBAND KOBE BRYANT AND DAUGHTER GIANNA "GIGI" BRYANT

VANESSA BRYANT SUES HELICOPTER FIRM OVER DEATH OF KOBE AND OTHERS

Widow of the late US basketball legend Kobe Bryant has filed a lawsuit against the owner of helicopter the  firm that operated the Sirkosky S-76B chopper that went down and killed Kobe and his daughter GiGi as well as other passengers...