This morning (May 16), Kobe Bryant was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, joining legends like Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and WNBA player Tamika Catchings…

Attention will certainly be focused on the speech given by Vanessa Bryant, who represented Kobe at the honor of entering the hall of fame.

Standing next to the late legend’s wife was Michael Jordan, the brother and mentor of “The Black Mamba”.

For 12 minutes, Vanessa Bryant gave an extremely impressive speech. On behalf of her husband, she thanked everyone who helped Kobe get a place in the hall of fame today.

At the same time, she shared great stories about the fighting spirit, determination to constantly improve herself and never give up of “The Black Mamba”.

Below are the most profound quotes that Vanessa shared, stories that will surely touch the hearts of Kobe Bryant’s “die-hard fans.”

Vanessa opened her speech with a joke about praising Kobe Bryant in front of a crowd :

“I always avoid praising my husband in public because I think he has been praised enough by fans all over the world, and at the same time needs someone to bring him back to reality.

Surely in heaven right now, my husband is laughing at me because I am praising him in public and in one of the most formal places. I can imagine him sitting there, clasping his hands together with a huge smile, saying ‘isn’t this delicious?’

Vanessa was afraid she would miss out on everyone Kobe Bryant needed to thank, so she sent them all a general thank you.

But for those who doubted Kobe and looked down on him throughout his career, a special thank you was given.

“My husband would like to thank everyone who helped get him to this point, including those who doubted him, who looked down on him . Including those who did everything they could to oppose Kobe, saying he wouldn’t be successful…

My husband will thank them too because after all Kobe proved them wrong.

Kobe Bryant suffered many injuries during his career. But at the same time, the “Black Mamba” also endured the pain to play on the field just as much.

Vanessa shared a story she once heard Kobe tell about often playing through pain.

“People don’t know this, but my husband often ignores injuries and plays through pain because he always remembers the old days. When he was a kid, sitting with his dad in the cheapest seats to watch his favorite player,” Vanessa immediately looked at Michael Jordan.

“My husband remembers vividly the car rides to the stadium, the conversations with his dad about basketball, and the excitement of being lucky enough to get a ticket in.

Kobe Bryant didn’t want to disappoint his fans, especially those who sat in the high seats on the roof of the arena, saving every penny to come to the stadium with the same excitement he once had.

I once asked Kobe why he didn’t sit out just one game to recover. He said, ‘What if someone saved up their whole life to buy a ticket to see you play just once?’

My husband will never forget the fans. If he could, he would play every minute of every single game, all because he loves you so much.

Finally, Vanessa concluded her speech by thanking her husband in heaven . She mentioned that Kobe was one of the best players, but he was also the greatest father and husband.

“Thank you for being the best husband and father you can be. Thank you for learning and moving on from your mistakes. Thank you for always wanting to be better. Thank you for never giving up on us.

Thank you for always working hard to take care of our family and giving us the most enjoyable life.

Thank you for making the effort to wake up at 4am to go to practice, then come home to kiss me good morning and drive the kids to school. Thank you for always making the effort to go to practice, compete but still pick up the kids from school when you can.

Thank you for never missing a birthday, a school award ceremony, an activity with the kids, or any game you could make it to.

Thank you for always putting family first…

Congratulations, my love. All the hard work, training and sacrifice have paid off. You once told me, ‘If you have to bet on someone, bet on yourself.’

I’m glad you took a chance on yourself, you title guy. You made it. You’re a legend in the hall of fame. You’re a real champion.

You’re not just an MVP, you’re a great player now. I’m so proud of you. Love you forever, Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant”.

Watch Vanessa Bryant’s full speech inducting Kobe Bryant into the Hall of Fame: