Some friendships fade after retirement, some disappear after group chats go quiet, and then there is the friendship between Vanessa Bryant and Pau Gasol, which apparently comes with a lifetime contract and unlimited family benefits.
As Pau celebrated his 46th birthday on July 6, Vanessa made sure the world knew just how much he means to the Bryant family. Lakers fans already loved Pau for helping Kobe collect championship rings like they were limited-edition sneakers. But his biggest assist may have happened far away from the basketball court.
when Pau Gasol comforted his goddaughter Natalia Bryant at the Lakers game on 2-8-24, the day Kobe's statue was unveiled🥹 pic.twitter.com/WnD8LYsS2e
— 𝐎𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 (@opolot_ronnie) June 18, 2026
After Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing in 2020, Pau stepped into a role nobody expected but everyone respected. According to Vanessa, he became an important father figure in the life of Natalia Bryant, proving that some teammates really do become family.
And honestly, if anyone earned the title of honorary uncle, it is Pau.
The seven-footer has been there for birthdays, graduations, family moments, and countless milestones. He did not show up for a photo opportunity and disappear like a celebrity New Year’s resolution.
Vanessa’s birthday message was full of appreciation and gratitude for a man who has stood by the family during some of their hardest years.
Vanessa Bryant has made her appreciation for Gasol very clear over the years, and she shouted him out with a birthday post to her Instagram on July 7, which showed her, Natalia, Pau, and Pau’s wife, Cat, playing what appears to be the card game called Spoons.
The Instagram video shows the group of four laughing and joking about an apparent mishap that Pau had during the game. The post was captioned, “🥄 🥄🥄😊😂Happy birthday @paugasol !!!!!! 🎉 We love you uncle Pau! #hermano #family”.
This caption says it all, showing that Vanessa and Natalia have a ton of appreciation for “uncle Pau” and wanted to show him that on his birthday.
Happy 46th birthday to Pau Gasol, a champion, a friend, and apparently the owner of the most valuable assist record in Los Angeles history.
