Celebrating Mamba Day, Los Angeles Lakers send gifts to babies born on Kobe Bryant's birthday

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant would have turned 44 on Aug. 23. The sports world also commemorates the five-time NBA champion on Aug. 24 (8/24) -- Mamba Day, coined for the two numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year NBA career.

Since Bryant's death in January 2020, these two late-August dates hold special significance for Lakers fans. The city of Los Angeles even made Aug. 24 "Kobe Bryant Day" in 2016.

For several new babies, and potential future Lakers fans, the team sent some purple and gold, Kobe-themed gift packages.

The infants, born at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, received blankets, baby beanie hats with the No. 8 on them, and a note from the Lakers.

"One of your family's most special days has landed on one of our organization's most celebrated days," the card read. "On this year's Kobe Day, here's to your next-generation Lakers fan. They've already got a little of the Mamba Mentality in them."

The newborns weren't the only people to get swag from the team. Parents and medical personnel received Bryant T-shirts.