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Ionescu considered the late basketball legend her \"mentor, idol, inspiration, and close friend.\"

\"You took me under your wing and believed in me more than I believed in myself,\" Ionescu wrote in a message to Kobe Bryant after his tragic death. \"I only have one choice. To live out your legacy.\"

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A post shared by Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i) on Feb 1, 2020 at 10:02am PST

She also helped coach Gianna and two other victims of the helicopter crash, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester. The three girls were named honorary draft picks by the WNBA in April 2020.

\"I was blessed to have been a part of your lives and to inspire you, but now you inspire me,\" Ionescu wrote in a message to Gianna, Alyssa and Payton on Instagram.

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