University of Connecticut Athletics
Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation Teams up with Huskies to Host Camp for Kids
8/12/2023 11:40:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. – The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (MMSF) and the UConn women's basketball team hosted a MMSF Skills Academy basketball clinic on Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the Werth Champions Center.
Founded through the vision and memory of Kobe and Gigi Bryant, the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys and girls in sports.
"We loved having this camp up here in Storrs, and welcoming these kids into our building," head coach Geno Auriemma said. "We got to tell them a little bit about what the Mamba and Mambacita mentality is. Kobe and Gigi were so connected with us here at UConn, so it was a real honor for us to be involved with this. The players on my team really enjoyed being coaches for two hours and spending time with the kids who came out."
The clinic included 40 Hartford-area girls and boys who are involved with Husky Sport, a community-campus partnership that utilizes the power of sport to connect and empower partners from the city of Hartford and the University of Connecticut.
The UConn women's basketball student-athletes broke the campers into stations based on the pillars of Mamba Mentality, while sharing Kobe and Gigi's legacies and impacts. Kat Conlon, Executive Director of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, spoke with UConn's student-athletes before the camp and said, "We're so grateful to partner with the UConn Women's basketball program for its special relationship with Kobe and Gianna Bryant. As a testament to their love for the game and on behalf of the Bryant family, we're thankful that you are showing up for these kids today and prioritizing fun above all else."
Associate head coach Chris Dailey and Auriemma addressed the camp attendees to emphasize the Bryants' impacts on and off the court. Auriemma and the Huskies highlighted the importance to #PlayGigisWay, which means to play with joy, curiosity and competitiveness while never taking any opportunity for granted.Â
The Bryants had close ties with Auriemma and the Huskies. Auriemma was a friend of Kobe Bryant after growing close at the 2012 London Olympics. Gigi Bryant was a fan of the UConn women's basketball team and hoped to be a Husky in her college career. Kobe and Gigi Bryant attended a few UConn games together. Auriemma spoke at The Celebration of Live for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in Feb. 2020.
Kobe and Gigi's vision was to create a world where young women had equal opportunity to pursue their dreams through sports. The foundation honors their legacy by funding programs that support their vision.
