The UConn Huskies smashed their way to a national championship on Sunday evening, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59. They were led by strong performances from Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong, and Azzi Fudd.
The win over the Gamecocks marked UConn’s first title since 2016 and their 12th title overall. This now makes them the college basketball team with the most national titles, surpassing even the UCLA men’s team for the most all-time. But Bueckers claims that she felt the spirit of late NBA great Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gigi, throughout the game.
Paige Bueckers Channels Spirits of Kobe and Gigi Bryant
Following the national championship game, Bueckers was asked whether she had considered what it would be like if Gigi Bryant were still alive and possibly playing alongside her. The late Gigi had dreamt of playing for Geno Auriemma at UConn and would have been freshman-age on this team.
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
“There have been times this whole weekend and throughout the whole tournament that God has really shown himself. And my mom staying in room 824, both of Kobe’s numbers. Stuff like that,” Bueckers said.
“It’s just been a very blessed year, I mean, win or lose, it’s a very blessed year, but I just feel like God’s presence has been really showing out and little things you just see his presence so palpable… I feel like a lot of that, too, is Kobe’s watching over us, Gigi’s watching over us.”
Vanessa Bryant Sends Emotional Message to UConn
UConn has been receiving many congratulatory messages, and rightfully so, but one of the most heartfelt messages came from Vanessa Bryant.
“Gigi would’ve loved being there with you,” Vanessa Bryant posted on her Instagram story. “When you think you can’t, UCONN -Gigi Bryant,” she wrote.
Bryant was a talented basketball player who dreamed of playing for UConn before her tragic passing in 2020.
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After Gigi’s passing, UConn placed a number two Huskies jersey—her number—on the bench alongside a bouquet of flowers in tribute to her love for the game of basketball.
While Bryant would have been a freshman this season, her father, a five-time NBA champion for the Lakers, was known as an international ambassador to the sport of basketball—especially for women’s basketball, as seen in his work before his passing in 2020.
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