Geno Auriemma says Gianna Bryant was excited to play: Kobe Bryant Staples Center memorial

KABC

Geno Auriemma speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES -- During Monday's celebration of life honoring Kobe and Gianna Bryant, University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma described to the Staples Center audience the excitement that 13-year-old Gianna showed while visiting UConn, where she had hoped to one day play basketball.
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"I remember the very first game she came to, and she came into the locker room," Auriemma recalled. "Here she is, and the look on her face -- the smile, the way her eyes just took everything in, how excited she was to be around, in her mind, royalty."

"It's ironic," he said. "Her father is royalty, and she's excited to be around royalty that looks just like what she wants to be."

He continued: "The most impressive thing about that point in time was how Kobe stepped as far back as he could so anybody taking pictures, anybody there would not know that this was Kobe Bryant's daughter. This was her moment. This was her time to shine. This was her time to experience all the things that he's experienced his whole life. He was being dad. He wasn't being Kobe Bryant."

"In today's day and age, that's a hell of a thing for parents to be able to do," Auriemma added.
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Bryant and Gianna were killed along with seven others in a helicopter crash last month while they headed to a basketball tournament that the teen was going to play in.

The memorial event began with a performance by Beyonce. Bryant's widow, Vanessa, brought tears to people's eyes as she spoke, giving an intimate portrait of her husband and daughter.

PHOTOS: Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna shared love of basketball

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles.none

Kobe Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida.none

Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant watch during day 2 of the Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships at the Woollett Aquatics Center on July 26, 2018 in Irvine, California.none

Kobe Bryant is greeted by his wife, Vanessa, and daughters Natalia and Gianna, after receiving the MVP trophy during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2008 at Staples Center.none

Gianna Bryant and her father, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, attend the WNBA All-Star Game 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.none

Kobe Bryant, wife Vanessa Bryant and daughters Natalia and Gianna celebrate the Lakers' NBA championship with Goofy at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.none

Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Maria-Onore attend his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California on February 19, 2011.none

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Connecticut and Houston, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Storrs, Conn.none

Kobe Bryant warms up with daughter Gianna Bryant during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario.none

Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019.none

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on Nov. 11, 2019, at a Mamba Basketball Tournament.KABC

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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College coach Geno Auriemma remembers Gianna Bryant's excitement to visit UConn