NBA Hall of Famer Pau Gasol has been named the 2023 Kobe and Gigi Bryant Award winner

Advocacy Award from the WNBA

On Sunday evening, Vanessa Bryant and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will present the award to Pau Gasol during the NBA All-Star Game.

The WNBA announced on Sunday afternoon that NBA legend Pau Gasol will receive the league’s Kobe & Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award in 2023.

Gasol, 42, will be honour for his “significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball,” according to a WNBA release.

Vanessa Bryant and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will present the award to the two-time NBA champion on Sunday evening at the NBA All-Star Game in Utah.

“I’m overjoyed that Pau has been select to receive this honour. Pau has done so much to promote women and girls in sports and is deeply commit to spreading an equality message. Which was so important to Kobe and Gianna “Bryant, 40, is the Chair of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. A nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering underserved athletes and boys and girls through sports.

“We thank the WNBA also Pau for continuing to honour Kobe and Gianna in this manner,” she added. Gasol said that receiving the award is “an honour” that makes him “especially happy. Because it represents two people who are and will always be in my heart.”

WNBA Commissioner Engelbert praised Gasol for his “community work” and “support. As a WNBA investor” in a statement released by the league. “In his career, Pau has demonstrated to be a longtime advocate for the league and women’s sports advocate. Helping to carry on the legacy of Kobe also Gigi,” she said.

“Pau is a national team leader for women’s basketball and has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of women in professional and coaching pipelines. Pau is a role model for other male athletes. The league is pleased to honour him with the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award in 2023 “Engelbert elaborate.