REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Kobe Bryant's parents were never 'personally invited' to Hall of Fame ceremony despite him wanting them there

'His parents didn’t just choose not to go to the HOF. His parents were totally disrespected at the memorial. They weren’t personally invited to the HOF,' a friend of Kobe's sister wrote
UPDATED MAY 18, 2021
Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine Bryant at the 90th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California  (Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine Bryant at the 90th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California (Getty Images)

When Kobe's parents Joe and Pamela Bryant did not attend Saturday night's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony, it was indicative to fans of some friction between them and Vanessa Bryant. She had thanked them in her speech and even said that she had invited them. But now the latest reports reveal that Vanessa might be concealing some facts.

A best friend of Kobe's sister Shaya has come forward to reveal that the parents were never personally invited to the event. Model Anansa Sims, who is also Matt Barnes’ ex-wife, has spoken up on social media. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Kobe Bryant’s heartbroken parents Joe and Pamela spotted with his sister on first anniversary of chopper crash

'Our relationship is s**t': Kobe Bryant revealed rocky relationship with parents after marrying Vanessa

Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and Natalia Bryant attend Tribeca Talks: Kobe Bryant with Glen Keane - 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 23, 2017 in New York City. (Getty Images)

Vanessa Bryant's speech

During the event on May 15, 2021, Vanessa thanked Kobe’s parents and said she had invited them to the enshrinement because that’s what Kobe had wanted. Fans at the time had praised for her taking the not-so-easy "road of forgiveness". 



 

"He didn’t really talk about upcoming awards but he did mention this one a week before he and Gigi passed. My husband and I were sitting at our kitchen island and he and I had a conversation about my mother and father-in-law attending tonight’s enshrinement. I invited my mother and father-in-law to tonight’s enshrinement to thank them for bringing one of the most amazing human beings into this world. Pam and Joe thank you for raising Kobe for being exceptional," she said

(L-R) Vanessa Laine Bryant, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, Natalia Diamante Bryant, and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s 'A Wrinkle in Time' at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood CA, Feburary 26, 2018. (Getty Images)

Parents were never invited 

Anansa shared a message from Shaya on her Instagram page, with several images of Kobe through the years - from his younger years through into his prime on the basketball court. Shaya's personal Instagram profile is currently private.

Pam Bryant, the mother of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from her seat in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California (Getty Images)

In the post, Sims wrote that Kobe’s parents chose not to attend the ceremony because they felt "disrespected" at his memorial, and they were not "personally invited" to the event. She added in the post that they no idea Kobe had wanted them to go to his Hall of Fame ceremony. For the unawares, Kobe was not on speaking terms with his parents before his death. He was reportedly upset with them for, among other things, selling his memorabilia behind his back.

"His parents didn’t just choose not to go to the HOF. His parents were totally disrespected at the memorial. They weren’t personally invited to the HOF," she wrote. 



 

She also added that Kobe's parents did not know of their son's wish. "I wish that his parents were told that Kobe said he wanted them there just before he passed away.... His parents should've been told that, that conversation happened," she claimed in the post. "If they would've known that prior to hearing it in the HOF speech last night, I believe with all my heart they would've attended. And I believe that would've brought them so much comfort to know that, that's what was in their Sons heart and mind. My heart breaks for his parents all over again."

"Shaya wasn't invited, so she was able to stay home with their parents and comfort them. Imagine not knowing a vital conversation like that took place just one week before your child passed away and not being told," she insisted. "Lord, please continue to comfort this family."

POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW