One of Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant's daughters is celebrating a special birthday that honors her dad's legacy.
On Dec. 5, Bianka Bryant, the second-youngest of the couple's four children, turned 8—the late NBA legend's first jersey number.
"BB-8! BB is 8 today!" Vanessa wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the birthday girl. "Happy birthday to our Sunshine. We love you so much, Bianka! You bring so much love and laughter into our lives. You are so loved mama!"
The 42-year-old, who is also mom to daughter Natalia, 21, Capri, 5, and the late Gigi with Kobe, continued, "You say it’s your BB8 birthday, and I’ll keep reminding you it’s your daddy (#8 ) year."
Kobe's wife continued, "You say it’s your BB8 birthday, and I’ll keep reminding you it’s your daddy (#8 ) year."
Bianka's father began his 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 with the No. 8 jersey. It was an homage to the number he wore as a youth in Italy, where his family lived when his dad played professional basketball in the country, ESPN reported. In 2006, Kobe switched his jersey number to 24.
"It's kind of a clean slate," he said at the time. "I started new. Just start completely fresh, focus on the number that meant a lot to me."
In 2020, the retired Lakers star died at age 41 in a helicopter crash, along with his and Vanessa's daughter 13-year-old Gigi, and seven other people. Since then, their legacies have lived on—through the Bryants and Kobe's Lakers family.
This past August, Kobe and Gigi's father-daughter relationship was immortalized at the home of the Lakers. A bronze statue of the pair was installed outside Crypto.com Arena. The sculpture "represents Kobe and Gianna's exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship Kobe shared with all four of his daughters," the NBA said in a statement at the time.
Vanessa brought along Natalia, Bianka and Capri to the unveiling of the statue and shared a photo of them standing in front of it. “Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad," the athlete's wife told friends and family at the event, "and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl."
Look back at Kobe and Vanessa's family photos...
Family Portrait
The basketball star posed with his parents Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000.
Father-Son Moment
The duo were all smiles while posing for a portrait in November 2000.
Baby On-the-Way
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
Birthdays
"Happy Birthday B.B. I Can't believe you are 3 already!" Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. "We love you little mamacita."
Pool Time
"My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB)," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
Thanksgiving
"Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!" Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
Halloween
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
"My Gigi"
"My Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
Love & Basketball
The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
Lots of Hugs
"@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble," the caption of the September 2019 post read.
Mother's Day
"Happy Mother's Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri's birth. "You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba."
A Father-Daughter Duo
"Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. "Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way."
Basketball Buddies
Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Family Fun
Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
Smiles in the Sunshine
"Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas," the caption of the 2018 post read.
Fond Memories
Kobe and his family members attended a women's basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
An Unforgettable Moment
Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
A Dad and His Daughters
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
A Loving Family
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
All Smiles
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Hugs and Kisses
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
A Proud Father
Kobe's wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
A Day at Disney
Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers' NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
A Winning Team
The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
"Daddy's Little Princesses"
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as "Daddy's little princesses." Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
The Mamba Legacy Continues
Vanessa Bryant shared a sweet photo of her and Kobe's youngest daughter, 6-year-old Capri Kobe Bryant, 6, following in his athletic footsteps.