The connection between basketball star Paige Bueckers and the late Gianna “Gigi” Bryant has been the subject of admiration and curiosity over the years, especially following the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, Gigi, and seven others on January 26, 2020.
While fans often wonder whether Paige and Gigi ever shared the court together, the reality is that they never got the chance to officially play on the same team. However, their bond through basketball and the mutual respect between the Bryant family and the UConn women’s basketball program run deep. Let’s take a deeper look.
Exploring Paige Bueckers’ Relationship With Gigi and Kobe Bryant
Gianna Bryant was a rising star in the basketball world, a fierce competitor with aspirations of playing for the UConn Huskies, the same legendary program that produced stars like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and Breanna Stewart.
Kobe Bryant had often spoken about how Gigi admired UConn and hoped to wear the Huskies uniform one day. Unfortunately, her dream was cut short far too soon.
Paige Bueckers was asked if she’s thought about that Gigi Bryant could have been on this team. She says that there have been a lot of things this week where she’s felt that connection, including her mom staying in room 824.
“God’s presence has really been showing out”@UConnWBB pic.twitter.com/8xZ4EqUCgL
— Claire Foley (@clairefoleytv) April 6, 2025
On Sunday, the UConn women’s basketball team claimed its 12th national championship, an emotional moment that brought Gianna’s memory back into the spotlight. Fans of both the Huskies and the Bryant family couldn’t help but imagine what might have been: a future with Gigi playing alongside current UConn stars like Paige Bueckers.
While that vision never came to life, Bueckers has made it clear that Gigi’s presence has been felt throughout their journey.
“Kobe is Watching Over Us. Gigi is Watching Over Us.”
After the championship win, Paige Bueckers was asked whether she had considered the possibility of Gigi being on this team. Her response was heartfelt and deeply spiritual.
“There have been times this whole weekend and throughout the whole tournament where I felt like God has really shown himself,” she said during the postgame press conference.
“I feel like it has just been a really blessed year, win or lose. I feel like God’s presence has been showing out, in little things it is just so palpable. I feel like Kobe is watching over us, Gigi is watching over us.”
Though Gigi never played in a UConn jersey, the Huskies honored her in 2020 when they placed a jersey with her name and number on their bench. The tribute signified just how much she meant to the program, even without ever officially joining it.
KEEP READING: LA Sparks Cameron Brink Beaming With Pride Over Paige Bueckers National Championship Glory
The phrase “When you think you can’t, UConn,” once said by Kobe Bryant, has been a guiding motto for the team and frequently appears across UConn’s social media platforms throughout the season.
The Bryant family’s legacy remains closely tied to the Huskies, especially as players like Bueckers carry on the spirit of excellence and resilience that Kobe and Gigi embodied.
While Paige Bueckers and Gigi Bryant never played together, their shared love for the game and the Huskies program will always connect them, a bond that transcends time, space, and tragedy.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
