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Vanessa Bryant; Kobe Bryant and Gianna BryantVanessa Bryant was thinking of her late daughter Gigi as the University of Connecticut Huskies became the 2025 NCAA champions.
After the Huskies handily defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks in the championship game on Sunday, April 6, thanks to stellar performances by Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, Vanessa, 42, took to Instagram with her tribute.
Reposting UConn's official graphic announcing they're the champs, Vanessa wrote, "Gigi would've loved being there with you."
In quotes, she added, ''When you think you can't, UCONN' - Gianna Bryant'" and two heart emojis, one of them broken for her late daughter, who would have been 18 years old and likely playing in March Madness.
Vanessa Bryant/Instagram
Vanessa Bryant's Instagram Story after UConn won the 2025 NCAA championshipRelated: UConn Triumphs Over South Carolina to Claim Their Record 12th Women's NCAA Championship Title
Vanessa also tagged UConn's basketball program and head coach Geno Auriemma, who has now won 12 national titles.
Gianna and her father Kobe Bryant were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. Before her passing, Gianna was a big fan of the Huskies and the university loved her back. In 2020, CNN reported that Gianna "always wanted to play for the Huskies," long one of the top women's college basketball programs in the country.
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Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant attends the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2019.Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
One day after the fatal crash, UConn honored Gianna by draping her No. 2 jersey over one of their bench seats. A bouquet wrapped in blue and white ribbons was in front of it.
