New Lakers Star To Cover The Restoration Of Vandalized Kobe Mural

LOS ANGELES, CA — The surprise benefactor, who donated $5,000 to repair the vandalized downtown Los Angeles mural honoring Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, turned out to be a fellow Lakers star.

Star point guard Luka Doncic donated the money Tuesday to repaint the mural "Mambas Forever" on the side of a building at the corner of 14th and Main streets after it was covered in graffiti over the weekend.

“It was always important to give back to the community,” Doncic said after practice at the Lakers' training complex. “They gave me so much, so I just want to give back.”

The Slovenian superstar joined the Lakers less than three months ago in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks. He teamed with LeBron James to lead the Lakers to the Pacific Division title and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The mural by artist Sloe Motions, whose real name is Louie Palsino, was one of the first created following the 2020 death of Bryant and Gianna in a Calabasas helicopter crash.

Palsino created a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising $5,000 to restore the mural, writing that he was "eager to bring it back to its original glory."

Palsino painted multiple murals paying homage to Bryant along with other local legends around the city.

On Tuesday morning, Doncic donated the full $5,000 to the page.

"Kobe is L.A.," Doncic said in a statement released by the Luka Doncic Foundation. "He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally. I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored."

Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five championships and becoming the top scorer in franchise history. After Kobe and Gigi Bryant died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, hundreds of murals and public art projects honoring them sprung up around Southern California.

It was unclear how long the restoration effort would take. Palsino wrote on the GoFundMe page that all donations would co "directly towards the materials needed for the restoration process, including high-quality paints, sealants and other essential supplies."

"The Kobe & Gigi mural holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing strength, legacy, and love," Palsino wrote. "By contributing to this cause, you are helping preserve a piece of art that continues to uplift and inspire our community."

Police have not identified any suspects in the vandalism.

City News Service and The Associated Press contributed to this report.