Mamba & Mambacita Forever: Vanessa Bryant’s Heartfelt Tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant Arrives This Summer

Vanessa Bryant is set to release a heartfelt new book this summer honoring her late husband, basketball icon Kobe Bryant, and their daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant. Titled Mamba & Mambacita Forever (MCD), the book will be available on August 19, 2025, just days before “Kobe Bryant Day” on August 24, a day celebrated in Los Angeles and Orange County. Kobe and Gianna tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in 2020.

The book will celebrate Kobe’s enduring legacy and Gianna’s impact as a talented athlete and advocate for women’s sports. Through a collection of images and stories from the countless tributes made worldwide, Mamba & Mambacita Forever ensures that the murals and memories of Kobe and Gianna Bryant remain eternal. “Taken together, what emerges is the story of a man who became even more than he himself could have imagined—an avatar of determination, discipline, and competitiveness,” a press release states.

Vanessa collaborated with renowned photographer Andrew D. Bernstein on the project. Bernstein previously worked with Kobe on his 2018 book, The Mamba Mentality.