Sabrina Ionescu and Kobe Bryant's family share emotional Olympics moment

As the clock ran out on Team USA 's narrow 68-67 victory over France in Sunday's gold medal basketball game, American guard Sabrina Ionescu raced to celebrate with Kobe Bryant 's family.

Ionescu, a three-time All-Star for the New York Liberty , relied on Bryant as a confidant and maintains a close relationship with his family even after the Lakers legend passed away in 2020. The 26-year-old Liberty guard played 10 minutes in the final as the Americans survived to take gold because French player Gabby Williams's foot was on the three-point line during her made bank shot as time expired.

Ionescu captured her first Olympic gold medal and played a key role for the Americans as a bench shooter throughout the tournament. She immediately ran over to the Bryant family to share the moment with them.

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Bryant and his daughter Gigi first watched Ionescu play back in college when her Oregon Ducks visited USC in 2019. Bryant visited the team in the locker room following their victory and maintained a relationship with Ionescu ever since.

"They sat courtside, where my jaw sat dropped," Ionescu previously told the LA Times . "They watched the entire game. And that was the first time I met Kobe."

Ionescu has helped coach several of Bryant's daughters in the subsequent. years. When the Hall of Famer suddenly died in a helicopter accident in 2020, the former Oregon Duck spoke at the service.

"I carry Kobe and Gigi with me every day and honor their legacies through my dedication to the game," she 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."

"I saw the way he supported his family and his constant advocacy for women's basketball. His encouragement and promotion of equality in sports along with his Mamba Mentality is what motivates me today."

Ionescu helped Bryant's seven-year-old daughter Bianka shoot hoops when the family visited New York in June. She commented "Shooting definitely runs in the family" on Vannessa Bryant's Instagram post chronicling the interaction.

Vanessa Bryant attended Ionescu's wedding in March. Considering how intertwined she is with the Bryant family, it should be no surprise she was quick to embrace them following Team USA's victory.

Ionescu is averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game for the New York Liberty. The two-time Second-Team All- WNBA selection has helped guide the Liberty to a league-best 21-4 record.

Ionescu and Co will hardly get a break following their Olympic victory. The Liberty will travel to Los Angeles to play the Sparks on Thursday, August 15.