SPANISH basketball star Pau Gasol's wife has just given birth to their first child, whose name was chosen in tribute to the late NBA ace Kobe Bryant.
A smiling Catherine McDonnell, pictured from her hospital bed with proud dad Pau, appeared on social media yesterday (Sunday) shortly after Elisabet Gianna Gasol came into the world.
Gianna was Kobe's 13-year-old daughter, who perished along with him – and seven other people - in a helicopter crash on January 26 this year.
Kobe, 41, had won the NBA five times and had two Olympic golds under his belt, as well as holding numerous records.
Pau has been a rock for the widowed Vanessa Bryant and her children, close friends of the Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc – who were born in Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona province) - and Vanessa is now Elisabet Gianna's godmother.
In fact, Pau spent his 40th birthday, this year, with Vanessa and the children – and, of course, a pregnant Catherine.
His Instagram profile picture shows him with an arm around Kobe and his hand on the latter's head.
“Our little girl is now with us! Everything has gone very well and we couldn't be happier,” Pau wrote on social media.
“Elisabet Gianna Gasol, a name with a great deal of meaning for our beautiful daughter.”
Pau has always referred to his deceased friend as 'Big Brother Kobe', and has been as close as family to Bryant and his wife and the children, Bianka, Natalia and Capri, who consider him their uncle.
Vanessa wrote on Instagram: “My goddaughter is here! Congratulations Pau Gasol and Cat McDonnell. Love you three so much! So touched by your request to honour my Gigi [Gianna]. Can't wait to hold Elisabet Gianna Gasol.”
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