Sabrina Ionescu Shares Hug With Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant's Daughters After Team USA Wins Gold

After taking home a gold medal in a thrilling finish over France at the Paris Olympics, Sabrina Ionescu shared some love with Vanessa Bryant and her family.

Team USA trailed by 10 points in the third quarter but charged back, beating France 67-66 after French star Gabby Williams had her foot on the line for what would have been a last-second, game-tying three pointer.

After the game, Ionescu went to the sidelines where she shared a hug with the widow and daughters of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

The moment captured some viral attention, with fans sharing love for Ionescu for paying tribute to the Bryant family. Vanessa Bryant and her daughters have been a fixture at the Paris Olympics, sitting courtside for both the men's and women's games.

Ionescu had a close relationship with Kobe Bryant before his death in 2020, with the former Lakers star serving as a mentor to her. Ionescu spoke at his memorial service, saying she wanted to carry on the memory of Bryant and his daughter, Gigi.

"I carry Kobe and Gigi with me every day and honor their legacies through my dedication to the game," Ionescu said. "I wake up every day grateful for the platform I've been given and I strive to lead by example and serve as a role model for young people and especially girls to pursue sports — a platform Kobe and Gigi were passionate about."

Related: Team USA Sends Strong Message to Vanessa Bryant and Daughters at Paris Olympics