March 31 (UPI) -- Natalia Bryant, the oldest daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, has been accepted into the University of Southern California.
Natalia, 18, and her mother, Vanessa, posted videos and photos Tuesday on social media when they learned of the acceptance. Kobe Bryant, 41, and daughter Gianna, 13, were among nine passengers who died in a helicopter crash Jan. 27, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif.
"Tears of joy," Vanessa wrote Tuesday on Instagram. "I'm so happy for you Nani! I know daddy is so proud of you. I am so proud of you! Your hard work and dedication was so worth it.
"You pushed through the most excruciating pain imaginable and you succeeded. I wish daddy and Gigi were physically here to celebrate, but I know they're here in spirit. We love you so much!"
Vanessa gifted Natalia a pair of custom Kobe signature shoes and other Trojans gear as part of the celebration.
"Every step of the way," Vanessa wrote for the caption on a post with a photo of the shoes.
Natalia smiled, ran around her house and shouted "I got in. I got in," in the video posted by her mom.
"See you soon, USC," Natalia wrote for the caption on a photo she posted Tuesday on Instagram.
Several athletes and celebrities congratulated Natalia with messages on social media, including the WNBA's Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, singer Ciara, also congratulated Natalia on Instagram.
Natalia signed a deal with IMG models in February. She expressed an interest in fashion in a news release from IMG.
"I have always been interested in fashion since a very young age," Natalia said. "I have a love for the industry and ever since I can remember I wanted to model. There is a lot to learn, but I feel this is a great opportunity for me to learn and express myself creatively."
Kobe also is survived by daughters Bianka, 4, and Capri, 1. He often attended Trojans sporting events and even wore a USC jacket in one of his final interviews.
Mourning NBA icon Kobe Bryant one year later
A mural honors Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Los Angeles a year after the Calabasas, Calif., helicopter crash that killed them and seven others. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., announced a bill Tuesday that would require Terrain Avoidance Warning Systems on all helicopters carrying six or more passengers. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
A visitor from Atlanta records a mural honoring the father and daughter. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI. | License Photo
Fans paid tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant at makeshift memorials at Xbox Plaza outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the Lakers, on January 28, 2020. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Fans started flocking to the Staples Center as news of the accident spread, with stars arriving for the Grammy Awards also paying tribute. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI |
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Nike reported that it
sold out of its Bryant merchandise after his death. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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Bryant had retired from the NBA in 2016. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
A young fan holds up a handmade tribute to Bryant, who was named NBA MVP in 2008. Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Other
NBA teams honored Bryant by committing 24-second violations and 8-second violations on opening possessions, in reference to Bryant's famous jersey numbers. Photo by John McCoy/UPI |
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Bryant married Vanessa Laine Bryant in 2001. The couple had four daughters together, ages 17, 13, 3 and 7 months. Photo by John McCoy/UPI | License Photo
Athletes from around the world took to social media to mourn Bryant. Photo by John McCoy/UPI | License Photo
Besides the five NBA championships and an NBA MVP award, Bryant achieved 18 NBA All-Star selections and two Olympic gold medals. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Fans leave messages of tribute outside the Staples Center in the days after his death. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
The Lakers game against the Los Angeles Clippers, scheduled for January 28, 2020,
was postponed. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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Bryant had seen his daughter, Gianna, as
heir to his basketball legacy with her hopes of playing on the University of Connecticut team. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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The marquee at The Forum, where Bryant played his first games as an 18-year-old basketball phenom, pays tribute to his number 24. The
Dallas Mavericks announced the team will retire No. 24. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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David Behzadi, 22, and Cyrus Tabatabai, 23, look toward the scene where firefighters work to contain the smoldering wreckage of the helicopter crash that killed Bryant, his daughter and seven others. Photo by John McCoy/UPI | License Photo
The helicopter was on its way to Mamba Sports Academy, a facility in Thousand Oaks, Calif., that Bryant created and where he coached his daughter's team. Photo by John McCoy/UPI | License Photo
Fans gather near the crash site in Calabasas. Photo by John McCoy/UPI | License Photo
