The amount needed to restore a vandalized Kobe and Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant mural has been paid thanks to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.
On Tuesday (April 29), a mural of the father and daughter, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, was found defaced in downtown Los Angeles. According to KTLA, the artwork was located on Main Street, adjacent to West 14th Street, and was made by Louie “Sloe” Motion shortly after the Bryants died along with seven others during the crash in Calabasas.
“Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally,” Doncic said Tuesday through a representative, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I’m happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored.”
The mural depicted Kobe kissing his daughter on the forehead but was vandalized with the tag being scribbled out, along with two expletive messages, per TMZ. A GoFundMe was launched to restore the mural, with the goal being quickly met due to a $5,000 donation given by the star via his Luka Dončić Foundation. The contribution was also confirmed to KTLA in an email from GoFundMe Communications Manager Alexandra White.
“I’d like to say thank you to Luka and I’m proud he is a Laker now and representing Los Angeles and I know Kobe is proud,” Motions said in a statement to the Times. “I’m sure this alone will have him in the hearts of everyone in Los Angeles. Representing us the right way, a great hooper [and] soul. Thank u from Los Angeles Luka, I will return the favor.”
The Lakers star has shared his admiration for Bryant, along with gratitude that he met the NBA legend before his passing. Earlier this year, a mural depicting the players' first meeting at a December 2019 game was unveiled in L.A.
"He was talking my language. I saw Kobe talking Slovenian and I was really surprised," Doncic said in a postgame interview about the moment Kobe was heckling him during a game.