Natalia Bryant Reveals Why She Quit Sports After Kobe & Gianna's Deaths

Kobe Bryant’s oldest daughter, Natalia Bryant, is opening up about her decision to quit her volleyball career.

Her decision to leave the sport behind came after the passing of her father and younger sister, Gianna Bryant.

As many people know, Kobe and Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. It has been a grueling year-and-a-half for the Bryant family, and Natalia has been a rock for her mom, Vanessa Bryant, and two younger sisters.

Natalia is starting her freshman year at the University of Southern California (USC) this year, and signed with IMG models in February. She’s clearly got a busy schedule ahead of her.

The model revealed to Teen Vogue her love for the sport started at nine-years-old. Vanessa took her to watch beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor compete at the 2012 London Olympics.

"I was watching and [my mom] was like, 'Nani, you're going to love this sport. You're going to love volleyball. I'm calling it right now.' I think [my mom] knew I wasn't confident in my height," Natalia shared. "She's like, 'You're going to play volleyball. You're going to get confident because of this. There are all these other tall girls too, so you're not the only one.'"

Momma knows best, because Natalia took up club volleyball with plans to play Division I in college.

However, things took a drastic turn for her when her dad, sister and seven others died in the helicopter crash.

"I love the sport," Natalia told the outlet. "I quit volleyball after the accident because I was so...a lot was going on at that time. I knew I didn't…love volleyball as much as they love basketball. I'm okay with that."

When asked how she and her family are doing, Natalia replied, "You do the best that you can. For my little sisters [we're] trying to keep that memory for them. And also just trying to remember to live out every day the way they would."

The USC freshman loves talking about her dad and recounting all the good times they shared.

"I love talking about my dad," she told Teen Vogue. "It's bittersweet, but I enjoy talking about him more than it's sad for me."

Earlier this month, The Blast reported on Natalia’s rare interview with her modeling agency.

Natalia is studying filmmaking at USC, which is a passion she says her dad passed down to her.

“My dad and I would always watch as many movies as we can and we’d go on movie marathons,” she recalled. “And then we’d always analyze as many movies as we can and we’d talk about it for months. Anywhere we’d go we’d just keep talking about different films and how it, like, reminds us of where we are.”