Caitlin Clark’s unexpected encounter with Kobe Bryant’s family at WNBA All-Star Weekend took everyone by surprise.
Caitlin Clark Bonds with Vanessa Bryant and Her Daughters as They Sit Courtside at WNBA All-Star Game
The Bryant ladies cheered on their favorite WNBA stars during the All-Star Game in Phoenix
Vanessa Bryant and her daughters enjoyed an epic weekend in Phoenix, Ariz. for the the WNBA All-Star Game.
Vanessa, 42, and daughters Capri, Natalia and Bianka were spotted sitting courtside at the star-studded basketball game on Saturday, July 20.
Vanessa also brought along the family’s adorable pup, Zuki, for the exciting showcase of the WNBA’s biggest stars.
In an Instagram Reel Vanessa posted after the game, she shared a sweet shot of Zuki, who watched the WNBA stars battle it out on the court from inside a Gucci dog carrier.
Her youngest daughter, Capri, 5, shared a sweet moment with top overall pick Caitlin Clark on the sidelines before the game started.
In a video shared by the WNBA on X (formerly known as Twitter), the Indiana Fever rookie greeted the Bryants in their courtside seats and shared a conversation with the girls. Clark, 22, and and Capri even compared their matching pink sneakers — a pair of special edition Kobe 6s that Vanessa gifted the all-stars ahead of the game.
Vanessa can be seen greeting and spending time with close friends like Sabrina Ionescu and Diana Taurasi in other photos and videos in her Instagram Reel. Another sweet image shows shows Vanessa and Taurasi embracing on the sidelines.
At this year’s WNBA All-Star Weekend, the exhibition game was divided into two teams: Stars named to the Olympic team, including Taurasi, Ionescu and MVP A’ja Wilson played for Team USA; while the all-star players who weren’t selected for Paris made up Team WNBA.
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In addition to Clark, the weekend marked the first All-Star selection for Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.
Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty
Clark and 22-year-old Reese, known for their budding rivalry that stems back to their collegiate careers, thrilled fans during the game when the Sky guard scored off of a Clark assist over Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner.
After the game, Reese said in her postgame interview that it was “so cool” playing alongside her otherwise friendly competitor.
“It’s so cool, when she gets the ball, I’m running looking for the ball because I know she’s gonna throw it. She’s been great to play with,” Reese said, adding, “Hopefully in 4 years we’ll be Olympians together.”
