Nike releases 60-second ad, 'The Mambacita Sweet 16' shoes on Gianna Bryant's 16th birthday

On what would have been Gianna "Gigi" Bryant's 16th birthday, Nike released a 60-second ad dedicated to the late daughter of Kobe Bryant.

"Dear Gianna," begins the 60-second spot, meant to be a love letter from "Basketball." "From the first time you imagined winning a WNBA championship, I knew one thing was real: You were special.

"When someone stands up for gender equality, I see you fighting alongside them. And every time someone plays her hardest, I know that's you on the court."

Bryant, her father and seven others were killed in a helicopter accident in California on Jan. 26, 2020. Kobe Bryant had said prior to their passing that Gianna wanted to play college basketball at Connecticut and had dreams of starring in the WNBA.

STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now!

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow and Gianna's mother, is currently locked in a legal battle with Los Angeles County over the dissemination of photos by sheriff's deputies from the crash site.

Nike and the Bryant estate also announced the first release since Kobe Bryant's passing. Profits from The “Mambacita Sweet 16” will go to the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation and includes a message from Vanessa Bryant.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nike releases ad, new shoe on Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant's 16th birthday