The WNBA honored Gianna Bryant and her teammates before their role model, Sabrina Ionescu, was taken No. 1
Just like the NBA, the WNBA always gets it right.
On Friday night, to kick off the 2020 WNBA Draft, the league took a few moments to honor three young women that carried with them basketball aspirations into their teenage years: Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester and Alyssa Altobelli.
Bryant, Chester and Altobelli were among nine killed in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA, one that also claimed the lives of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, John and Keri Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan.
“Alongside Kobe, eight others were lost that sad day in January, including three rising basketball stars: Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “These athletes represented the future of the WNBA.”
The WNBA pays tribute to the lives of Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester by selecting them as honorary draftees in the #WNBADraft 2020. pic.twitter.com/AqpZnc4xfo
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 17, 2020
During the segment, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert also honored Kobe and late NBA Commissioner David Stern, who passed away on Jan. 1.
“When David Stern launched the WNBA 23 years ago, he changed the course of women’s basketball in the U.S. forever … Kobe was not only a legendary basketball star but a devoted youth coach and had a tremendous impact on countless young players … His passion for the WNBA and girls basketball was unparalleled.”
Engelbert proceeded to select Gianna, Alyssa and Payton as honorary draft picks.
Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester were all just announced as honorary @WNBA draft picks … all from Orange County, California
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 17, 2020
Payton’s father and Sarah’s husband, Chris, then said a few words.
“On behalf of my family, I’d like to thank the WNBA for honoring Payton and her teammates. [Payton] exemplified the ‘Mamba Mentality’ and was a fierce competitor.”
These honorary #WNBADraft picks ♥️♥️ Beautiful tribute to Gigi, Payton, and Alyssa who would have undoubtedly changed the game. That was a precious moment. Ugh will forever be heartbreaking
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) April 17, 2020
J.J. and Lexi Altobelli – the siblings of Alyssa and children of John and Keri – next said a few words on their family’s behalf.
“Alyssa loved the game of basketball and she worked extremely hard at her craft,” J.J. said. “There’s no doubt in our mind that she would have made it to the WNBA after her years at Oregon.”
What an incredible and moving tribute by the WNBA to honor Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/yx2fRcQ7HY
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) April 17, 2020
Lastly, Gianna’s mother and Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, thanked the WNBA for honoring her daughter, all while donning Kobe’s WNBA sweatshirt.
“She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all-time, just like her daddy … Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA.”
WNBA drafting the three girls lost in that helicopter crash… Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester and Gianna Bryant.
Beautiful.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) April 17, 2020
After the tribute, Engelbert announced the first pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft – Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu.
With the No. 1 pick in the #WNBADraft 2020 presented by @StateFarm, the @nyliberty select Sabrina Ionescu from @OregonWBB! pic.twitter.com/n0nZmBFDtE
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 17, 2020
Ionescu was a close friend of both Kobe and Gianna’s, and she spoke at their Celebration of Life event at STAPLES Center on Feb. 24.
Congratulations to Ionescu and to the WNBA on a successful, touching virtual draft.
