You know what they say—that behind every great man, there’s a great woman. This is especially true with professional athletes and ball players. They may be filling up their bank accounts with millions from their massive payrolls and endorsement deals, but there’s no doubt that their strong wives and partners keep them motivated, as well as keep their families together. Here’s a look at those famous ladies who make sure that their partners give a 100% on the field…

Vanessa Bryant — Wife of Kobe Bryant

Vanessa Bryant is definitely one woman who has displayed unfathomable strength despite plenty of adversity through the years. As the wife of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, she steadfastly stuck by him when he was seriously accused of indecent assault. While most women would’ve gone running to divorce attorneys, Vanessa remained devoted to her husband, and their marriage remained strong right until this untimely passing in a helicopter accident in 2020, which also took the life of their daughter, Gianna.