Following the untimely death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, fans have started a petition to have Gianna "Gigi" Bryant's jersey immortalized in the rafters of the Staples Center.
Earlier this week, a fan by the name of Sumer Mukhey started a petition on Change.Org in hopes of getting the Lakers organization and Jeanie Buss to consider hanging Gianna's number from the rafters.
"With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalize her forever in the rafters alongside her father at Staples," Mukhey wrote.
At just 13-years-old, Gianna was a budding AAU sensation and wore the no. 2. Her father served as one of her team's AAU coaches and sponsors. Gigi mirrored a lot of her father's moves on the court and was given the nickname "Mambacita" after her father's "Black Mamba" moniker.
Bryant had aspirations of playing for Geno Auriemma at the University of Connecticut. After her death, the UConn women's basketball team paid tribute to Gigi by reserving a spot on the bench for her with a no. 2 jersey and flowers.
Staples Center is considered "The House That Kobe Built." Bryant was fortunate enough to see both his no. 8 and no. 24 jerseys lifted into the rafters while he was still alive. Kobe is the only player in NBA history to have two different jersey numbers retired by the same team.
The Nets have honored Gigi and Kobe by keeping two courtside seats empty in their honor. Bryant and his daughter sat in those seats during a now-viral video of Kobe coaching Gigi through plays they were seeing the NBA teams run.
Related Stories
Tracy McGrady on the Passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant: 'I'm Devastated'
McGrady spoke on ESPN's 'The Jump' about his late friend Kobe Bryant.
Vanessa Bryant on the Death of Kobe and Gianna: 'There Aren't Enough Words to Describe Our Pain'
Vanessa posted a message about the tragic loss of her daughter and husband on Instagram.
T.I. Shares Heartfelt Messages to Family Following Kobe and Gianna Bryant's Deaths
T.I. dedicated a handful of Instagram posts to his wife and kids.
So far, the petition to have Gianna's number displayed at the Staples Center has nearly reached its goal of 150,000 signatures.
