KOBE BRYANT always had an interest in women’s basketball, one that he shared with many in the sport even before his daughter Gianna started excelling at the game.

Whether it was mentoring players like Diana Taurasi, Jewell Loyd and Sabrina Ionescu or working out with Gabby Williams and Katie Lou Samuelson, Bryant routinely gave of himself to help them improve their games.

But he had only scratched the surface.