Kobe Bryant never ceases to inspire Pau Gasol. The latter, who recently paid tribute to his former teammate during his induction into the Hall of Fame, is today very active in a field dear to the late legend: the promotion of women’s basketball.
“ Her impact has truly influenced and inspired me to get involved and become proactive in my role supporting women’s sport and women around the world “, testifies the Spaniardby adding : ” He hadn’t told me about his plans in detail, but I know he intended to play a bigger role, to become an ambassador for the Women’s World Cup. »
The new member of the Basketball Pantheon occupied precisely this role of ambassador during the last edition of this international competition, in 2022. He will also be replaced in this task for the 2026 World Cup by Sue Bird. A few months later, he was awarded the “Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award”, a trophy given to those who raise public awareness of the WNBA and women’s basketball.
“ He wanted Gigi (Bryant, his daughter who died with him) have the same chances as him. When we talk about Gigi, we talk about all the girls in the world. He was part of this change and it inspired me, touched me, opened my eyes and helped me to get more involved, to be more proactive, as I said, and to participate in change and development » of the discipline, continues Pau Gasol, imitated by Stephen Curry in particular.
His vision of things for tomorrow? “ I would like to see more girls playing when they are young. We studied the number of girls who play sports and those who stop doing them after adolescence. I would like these numbers to continue or increase. I want girls to know that if they want to be a basketball player, they can. […] I would like to see in the near future, more girls excited about playing basketball, doing sports, being active, being healthy and following their dreams », Stares the former Lakers player.
The latter ends by saying that he “ always enjoyed watching women’s basketball. Seeing his development, the progress he’s made, with Kobe and Gigi as sources of inspiration, it’s something that’s really close to my heart and I’m going to continue to be committed to him. »
