Vanessa Bryant selected University of Kentucky as the first to wear the Mamba brand
The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, a charitable foundation conceived in memory of Kobe and his daughter Gianna “GiGi” Bryant, unveiled the Mambacita Kobe 4s team during the Kentuck Adventure.
Kentucky Wildcats Become First Nike Kobe Basketball Program 🤍💙 https://t.co/SfHP2w7X4t pic.twitter.com/wU8aAhScsO
— Sneaker Bar Detroit (@SBDetroit) August 14, 2023
Vanessa Bryant wife of the late Kobe Bryant has selected the University of Kentucky to launch the inaugural Mamba Program, in partnership with Nike.
Players will wear Mamba-branded apparel and sneakers as a result of the partnership and program. The sponsorship includes a newly unveiled Kobe 11 for the entire 2023/24 basketball season.
Many details of the deal are not yet known but the partnership which has been more than a year in development, could bring Mamba branded jerseys in addition to the 11 sneakers.
The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation brand, a charitable foundation conceived in memory of Kobe and his daughter Gianna “GiGi” Bryant, introduced the Mambacita Kobe 4s team during Kentucky’s venture to Toronto’s GLOBL JAM.
It was such an honor to spend time with Natalia Bryant this weekend. Her passion for people and her commitment to honoring Kobe & Gigi’s legacy were a joy to witness. I have no doubt that she is going to continue to leave her mark on this world and create her own lasting legacy! pic.twitter.com/blB5SauMN4
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 26, 2022
Kentucky’s deep connection to Bryant’s legacy was further exemplified when it organized the Mamba Skills Academy last year, an initiative that provides free basketball training to underprivileged children. Kobe’s eldest daughter, Natalia Bryant, along with the foundation, was part of the program.
Speaking about the inaugural Mamba Program, Kat Conlon, executive director of the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, shared, “This is the first partnership with any university.”
She added, “Coach Calipari and Kobe Bryant had a very special relationship, so anything we can do with the foundation that continues to tell the stories of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, we’re all for it with the grassroots.”