Kobe and Gigi Bryant Award 2022: Phoenix Sun's Chris Paul becomes the maiden recipient

Chris Paul, the star of the Phoenix Suns, has a long history of giving back to the sport he loves. The 12-time All-Star was named the maiden recipient of the Kobe and Gigi Bryant Award 2022. On Sunday, the WNBA and Vanessa Bryant will deliver the honour to the Phoenix Suns point guard at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

This Kobe and Gigi Bryant Award honours someone who has gone above and above to support the progress of girls and women's basketball, as well as WNBA activism. However, this is the first year that this award has been given out. It was something Kobe Bryant, the late great, held close to his heart. Furthermore, according to Shams Charania, Chris Paul will accept the prize on Sunday night. Vanessa Bryant and Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA President, will deliver the trophy to the Suns point guard.

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Engelbert elaborated on why she strongly believes Paul was the best choice. In her words, "I have seen first-hand Chris' appreciation of the WNBA. And the game at every level for women and girls. Especially in Phoenix and North Carolina. And his ardent support of our game strongly reflects the legacy of Kobe and Gigi."

Paul has long been a vocal advocate of the WNBA and women's basketball. The Suns great is a merited recipient for his regular attendance at WNBA games, his use of his public platform to showcase the successes of women in the sport, and his commitment to youth girls' games.