EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — In a generous gesture to honor a basketball legend and his daughter, Luka Doncic has volunteered to fund the restoration of a damaged mural honoring Kobe and Gigi Bryant in downtown Los Angeles. The mural, known as “Mambas Forever,” is located at the intersection of 14th and Main streets and was the target of vandalism.
To support this restoration, Doncic, who recently joined the Los Angeles Lakers, contributed $5,000, meeting the entire fundraising goal set by artist Louie Palsino on a popular crowdfunding platform. “Helping the community has always been a priority for me,” Doncic expressed during a practice session at the Lakers’ training facility, emphasizing that he wanted to give back to a community that has supported him.
The Slovenian basketball star became a part of the Lakers team not long ago, following a high-profile trade with the Dallas Mavericks. Alongside LeBron James, Doncic has been instrumental in leading the Lakers to clinch the Pacific Division title and secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. However, the team faces a challenging situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the series 3-1 as they prepare for Game 5.
Kobe Bryant, who dedicated two decades of his career to the Lakers, left an indelible mark on the team by winning five championships and achieving the status of the highest scorer in the team’s history. Following the tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 that claimed the lives of Kobe and his daughter Gigi, numerous murals and art installations have appeared throughout Southern California as tributes to their memory.