It’s no secret that Kobe Bryant became a huge advocate for women’s sports during the later stage of his life. His support seems almost prophetic considering the current renaissance of women’s hoops.

Dearica Hamby still smiles at the memory of Kobe Bryant sitting courtside at WNBA games. She had met him years ago. He came to see her old team, the Las Vegas Aces, play all the time. “I think one of ...