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Inside Kobe Bryant’s Relationship with Mom Pam Bryant Who Put His Memorabilia up for Auction

Oyin Balogun
Jan 28, 2020
10:30 A.M.

Kobe was close to his family while growing up, but when he decided to marry his wife, Vanessa, things changed and got even worse after his mom, Pamela Bryant put his Memorabilia up for Auction.

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Like most families, there was some drama in the family of the former NBA player, Kobe Bryant, especially when it came to his parents.

All was well and good until Kobe decided to tie the knot at the age of 21. His decision to do so against his parents will put a strain on their relationship, and things just got worse when his mother did the unthinkable.

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks back in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks back in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

THEY HAD A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP

For several years, Kobe and his mom weren't exactly on talking terms as they didn't see eye to eye on certain things. In 2000, Kobe proposed to a girl he had been dating for six months, Vanessa Laine, who was still in high school at the time. She was 18 years old.

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While Kobe was sure he had met the woman he wanted to marry, his mom, Pamela Bryant, didn't think so. She did not approve of their relationship as she felt they were too young to take such a big step.

Despite her opposition, Kobe went ahead and married Vanessa in 2001. To show her disapproval, Pamela did not attend the wedding; neither did his dad, Joe, nor his sisters, Sharia and Shaya.

Pam Bryant, the mother of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from her seat in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 | Photo: Getty Images

Pam Bryant, the mother of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from her seat in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 | Photo: Getty Images

Their relationship remained strained until Kobe and Vanessa welcomed their first child together. This led to Pamela and Kobe's ability to mend their strained relationship to an extent.

This, however, didn't stop Pamela from missing out on other notable moments in the former NBA player's life as she also failed to attend his retirement ceremony with his team, Lakers.

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In 2013, Kobe found out that his mom tried to sell his memorabilia behind his back. The knowledge of this made their relationship more complicated to the point that they found themselves in the middle of a lawsuit.

Kobe Bryant at a speaking engagement | Source: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant at a speaking engagement | Source: Getty Images

In an interview with ESPN, Kobe had nothing good to say about his relationship with his parents, he said:

"Our relationship is (expletive). I say [to them], 'I'm going to buy you a very nice home,' and the response is 'That's not good enough'? Then you're selling my( expletive)?"

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets his mother Pam, during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 27, 2010 | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets his mother Pam, during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 27, 2010 | Photo: Getty Images

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Pamela, however, claimed Kobe handed them to her years ago and that after he got married, she confirmed from Kobe Bryant's wife whether she or Kobe wanted the items, and she said they didn't.

Pamela and Joe subsequently released a statement apologizing for their actions, and any unintended pain caused. Some of the items put up for Auction include the uniforms he wore while he played in High school, his high school player of the year plaque, two NBA all-star rings, and a team-issued Kobe Bryant 2000 Lakers championship ring.

 Kobe Bryant hosts a Kobe A.D. event at MAMA Gallery on November 1, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant hosts a Kobe A.D. event at MAMA Gallery on November 1, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

HE WASN'T THE ONLY BASKET BALLER IN HIS FAMILY

Kobe wasn't the only NBA player in his family as his father, Joe Bryant, was also a former NBA player, and his mother was the sister to another former NBA player, Chubby Cox.

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As a child, his father showed him videos of famous NBA players helping him to learn their moves. With support from his parents and enormous hard work on his part, Kobe became a basketball prodigy.

Kobe Bryant poses with his family after both his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys are retired at Staples Center on Dec. 18, 2017 in California | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant poses with his family after both his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys are retired at Staples Center on Dec. 18, 2017 in California | Photo: Getty Images

MEET HIS FAMILY

After Kobe tied the knot with Vanessa in 2001, they became first-time parents two years later with the birth of their first daughter, Natalia Diamante Bryant.

In 2006, they welcomed their second daughter, Gianna, and their third in 2016, Bianka. In 2019, Kobe and Vanessa welcomed their youngest child together, Capri Kobe.

 Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | Photo: Getty Images

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THE NEWS OF HER SON'S TRAGIC DEATH

While the news of Kobe's death left many heartbroken, it rendered his mom speechless. She was too upset to utter a word.

Following the death of her son, Pamela was brought all sorts of food and flowers by her loved ones and well-wishers. She was then asked if she had anything to say, but she didn't. She said, "Not right now."

 Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019  | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

HIS DEATH

January 26, 2020, was a day of great sadness for the Bryant family and the world at large. While the Bryants lost a son, a husband, and a father, the world lost a legend. At the age of 41, the five-time NBA champion died in a tragic accident.

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While on his way from Orange City to Thousands Oak California, where he was going to coach a tournament game, Kobe's Sikorsky s-7 helicopter crashed in Los Angeles.

Gianna and Kobe Bryant attending the WNBA All-Star Game in July 2019. | Photo: Getty Images

Gianna and Kobe Bryant attending the WNBA All-Star Game in July 2019. | Photo: Getty Images

In the same crash, one of Kobe Bryant's kids, 13-year-old daughter Gianna, fondly called Gigi, also lost her life with seven other passengers who were flying to Thousands Oak.

May their souls rest in peace.

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