Mamba Babies: Lakers Celebrate Newborns At UCLA Health In Honor Of Kobe Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers,Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, and UCLA Health are continuing a heartfelt tradition that honors the late great Kobe Bryant's legacy by celebrating newborns born this weekend at UCLA Health.

Each year, babies born on Kobe's birthday (August 23) and Mamba Day (August 24) receive commemorative "Little Lakers" gear, symbolizing the "Mamba Mentality" being passed on to the newest generation. This annual tribute not only remembers and honors Kobe's amazing impact on the game of basketball and the community but also highlights the strong bond between the Lakers and the Los Angeles community. 

A tradition years in the making continued this year in honor of Kobe's 47th birthday on August 23.

Babies born at UCLA Health on August 23 and 24 are getting some extra special gifts, courtesy of UCLA Health and Mamba & Mambacita Sports.

"Lakers Fam since Day One. Babies born this week are receiving extra special care packages in honor of Kobe’s birthday, thanks to @uclahealth & @mambamambacitasports," an Instagram post shared by the Lakers and Mamba & Mambacita Sports reads.

The carousel of photos and videos highlights some of the sweet babies gifted with a "Little Laker" onesie, a Welcome to the World certificate, and other Mamba items.

Photos shared of newborns Cassidy, Kalifornia, and Alexandra are melting hearts.

August 24 will forever be Mamba Day to fans of Kobe and the Lakers. (Mamba Day is celebrated on 8/24 to honor Kobe's two jersey numbers - 8 and 24.)  The day was officially declared in 2016 by the City of Los Angeles, following Kobe's retirement from the league, and celebrated each year by remembering Kobe's amazing NBA career.

The Lakers shared a post on IG captioned, "No. 8 or No. 24: forever legendary," and it didn't take long for fans to leave their thoughts in the comment section.

"I miss Kobe so much," one fan wrote. Another said, "This edit just shows you how much he worked on his game and how consistent he was as a player. Legend!!" One other fan shared, "The best player ever."

The Lakers also shared a follow up post in honor of Mamba Day, and fans took to the comments there, as well.

"Nothing’s been the same since. We miss you Mamba. Every day," one fan wrote. Another added, "The greatest to ever touch a basketball."

Vanessa celebrated Kobe's birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post, that she also shared as a Story.

"We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby," she wrote in the caption of a photo of her kissing Kobe on the cheek during a European vacation.

While her comment section is limited to only specific people, many left her some love, including NBA star Luka Doncic, Kris Jenner, Kelly Rowland, Kimora Lee Simmons, and many other well-known names.

The comments section is filled with red, purple, and yellow hearts, as well as birthday wishes and messages of love and support.

Natalia Bryant, Kobe and Vanessa's oldest child who is now 22, also shared a tribute to her late father on Instagram.

This year marked the sixth birthday since the NBA legend was tragically killed with his daughter Gigi and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

Since that time, Natalia has helped her mom carry on the Kobe's famous "Mamba Mentality."

Kobe and Vanessa are also parents to Bianka, 8, and Capri, 6.

The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is, "dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys & girls in sports," according to their website.

The organization is often seen in the LA community helping where needed. They recently shared a post on Instagram about their back-to-school celebration.

"Today, we teamed up with @baby2baby and our Angel @vanessabryant to join their special Back-to-School Celebration for the amazing students at Ninth Street Elementary in Los Angeles. Every child went home with Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation gear and Kobe sneakers — the perfect kick-off to a new school year and fall sports," the caption reads.

Another post shared a different back-to-school celebration they were a part of.

"Starting the school year strong! @VanessaBryant and @NataliaBryant joined us for the @dodgers Back-to-School Resource Fair, where we had the honor of distributing Nike Kobe 6 Protro sneakers to students from @LASchools. Together, we’re helping students step into the new school year with confidence.  @MambaMambacitasports."