current location:HOME > Sports News > Tennis Life > Text content

Suns' Chris Paul wins inaugural Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA award / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-19)Tennis Life298
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Credit Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns 12-time All-Star guard Chris Paul on Sunday was named the inaugural winner of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award for his "significant contributions to the advancement of girls and women's basketball" and his advocacy for the WNBA.

Chris Paul

Chris  PaulChris  PaulMIN:33.04PTS:14.93 (56.46%)REB:4.48As:10.69ST:1.86BL:0.31TO:2.38GM:58ProfileNBA2021/2022

The WNBA and Vanessa Bryant presented the award to Paul during the NBA All-Star game in Cleveland on Sunday night.

The award honors the late Kobe Bryant -- a Los Angeles Lakers legend and a supporter of the WNBA and women's basketball -- and his daughter Gianna (also known as Gigi), who dreamed of playing in the WNBA.

Kobe, Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020. Vanessa Bryant is Kobe's widow and Gianna's mother.

"I have seen first-hand Chris' appreciation of the WNBA and the game at every level for women and girls, ... and his ardent support of our game strongly reflects the legacy of Kobe and Gigi," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a news release.

"The league is proud to name Chris as the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, as he serves as a leader and role model for other professional athletes around growing the future of the game for young girls and all fans."

In the release, Paul was called "a devoted fan" of the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury who has "consistently demonstrated a unique level of support, attending games throughout the regular season and playoffs while also using his public platforms to highlight the on-court successes and stories of WNBA players as well as their leadership in the community through their fight for social justice."

Paul was a reserve for Team LeBron in Sunday's All-Star game. Paul is averaging 14.9 points, 10.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds a game for the Suns, who are atop the NBA with a 48-10 record.

The WNBA will make a donation to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a positive impact for underserved athletes and boys & girls in sports founded through the vision and loving memory of Kobe and Gigi Bryant.

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.
Share with friends:

“Suns' Chris Paul wins inaugural Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA award / News - Basketnews.com” ofrelated articles

Rafael Nadal out of Italian Open with defeat by Hubert Hurkacz

Rafael Nadal out of Italian Open with defeat by Hubert Hurkacz

Nadal out of Italian Open as Norrie progresses Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rafael Nadal has won the Italian Open 10 timesPublished11 May...

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saudi Arabia already hosts the Next Gen ATP FinalsRussell Full...

Anthony Edwards stunned by dominant Nikola Jokic's performance: 'I just laugh' / News - Basketnews.com

Anthony Edwards stunned by dominant Nikola Jokic's performance: 'I just laugh' / News - Basketnews.com

Anthony Edwards was impressed by Nikola Jokic's 40-point performance against Minnesota and praised the Serbian big man after Game 5....

Report: Lakers a potential team that could trade for Donovan Mitchell / News - Basketnews.com

Report: Lakers a potential team that could trade for Donovan Mitchell / News - Basketnews.com

The Los Angeles Lakers could make a move for Donovan Mitchell if the Cleveland Cavaliers star doesn't sign an extension in the summer....

Bronny James: 'Never' a dream to play with dad LeBron James / News - Basketnews.com

Bronny James: 'Never' a dream to play with dad LeBron James / News - Basketnews.com

Bronny James said his goal is to "make a name for myself" and admitted that he never thought about playing with his dad....

Bronny James puts up 4-point, 4-rebound performance at NBA Combine / News - Basketnews.com

Bronny James puts up 4-point, 4-rebound performance at NBA Combine / News - Basketnews.com

Bronny James, who is intending to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft, made his NBA Combine debut....