This was a well-deserved honor.
Ann Meyers Drysdale has been named the recipient of the 2024 Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, marking the third individual to receive this prestigious accolade following Chris Paul in 2022 and Pau Gasol in 2023.
The award will be presented to her during Sunday evening’s All-Star Game.
Meyers Drysdale has cemented herself as an iconic figure in women’s sports, achieving numerous groundbreaking milestones throughout her career.
She made history as the first high school basketball player to earn a spot on the U.S. national team, the first to secure a full athletic scholarship to UCLA, and the first to be named an All-American for four consecutive seasons.
In 1979, she shattered barriers by signing an NBA contract with the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first woman to do so.
To say that Meyers Drysdale is deserving of this award would be an understatement, as her unwavering dedication to excellence not only in women’s sports but in sports as a whole perfectly embodies the overarching mission of the Advocacy Award.
Vanessa Bryant, chair of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, lauded Meyers Drysdale’s impact, stating, “Annie has been a force inspiring young girls on and off the court — something she, Gianna, and Kobe shared and cared about deeply. I’m happy Annie is receiving this award in Kobe and Gianna’s memory — she is so deserving.”
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert also commended Meyers Drysdale’s influence, describing her as a pioneer who has profoundly shaped the game and inspired generations of athletes.
She highlighted Meyers Drysdale’s tireless efforts to elevate women’s basketball throughout her distinguished career as a player, executive, and broadcaster.
Engelbert emphasized that presenting this advocacy award to such an inspiring leader is a fitting tribute to the legacies of Kobe and Gigi Bryant, particularly as the 45th anniversary of Meyers Drysdale’s historic NBA contract signing is recognized.
As an undeniable driving force for women’s basketball, Meyers Drysdale exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious honor, and her contributions to the sport are truly unparalleled.
