Vanessa Bryant shared that six colleges will partner with the Mamba & Mambacity Sports Foundation for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. The University of Connecticut, the University of Southern California, the University of Oregon, Duke University, Louisiana State University and the University of Kentucky are participating in the “Mamba Program” honoring Kobe Bryant.

“We are grateful for the amazing support of these prestigious universities (in no particular order) toward the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation to further the legacies of Kobe and Gigi!” Vanessa shared on Instagram. “So excited to see their players wearing Kobe and Gigi’s NIKE shoes this upcoming season!!!”

These college’s athletics departments are all sponsored by Nike. The partnership is part of the sports company’s relaunch of the Kobe line, which kicked off last month. According to Complex, the “Halo” Kobe 8 sneaker will be released every Aug. 23 to commemorate the late basketball player’s birthday.

Basketball players such as Louisiana State University’s Angel Reese and the University of Southern California’s Bronny James will wear Kobe Bryant and Gigi shoes throughout the upcoming season.

Bryant started the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gigi.

“The Mamba & Mamvacity Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys and girls in sports founded through the vision and loving memory of Kobe and Gianna “Gigi” Bryant,” the nonprofit specifies in the mission statement posted on its website.

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