A shoe created by Nike to honor the late Gianna Bryant, who was killed alongside her father, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, in a helicopter crash two years ago, sold out in two minutes, according to an Instagram post from Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Proceeds from the shoe will benefit the foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved athletes in the name of Kobe and Gianna, according to Nike.
The Mambacita feature a black snakeskin theme meant to represent “Gigi’s Mambacita Mentality.”
"I'm so happy with the way these Mambacita shoes came out in honor of my daughter, Gigi," wrote Gianna’s mother Vanessa Bryant on Instagram. The shoes feature a black snakeskin pattern to represent "Gigi's Mambacita Mentality."
“The 'Mambacita Sweet 16' is inspired by her resilient spirit and the love she had, not only for the game, but for her family, friends and community," she continued.
"Part of her legacy is about building a better future for all girls and women in sport, one step at a time.”
"The Kobe 6 Protro 'Mambacita Sweet 16' honors the legacy that Kobe and Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant built," wrote Nike in a statement announcing the release. "One that propelled all generations to continue their quest to be better, for themselves and for the game that unites us all."
The “Mambacita” moniker is a reference to her father’s nickname “Black Mamba.”
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