Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum & Other NBA Players Who Kobe Bryant Has Mentored (2024)

What makes a great NBA player? Sure, his skills, attitude, and mindset.

But if he isn't able to inspire the generation to come or even teammates, what good is he?

Kobe Bryant is the epitome of greatness in the NBA and because he has gone out of his way to mentor some others.

Take a look at the list of those lucky players...

Kobe always said he only mentored those who were curious and attacked the game the way he did and he found that in Kawhi. Leonard worked out with Kobe and Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy when he was with the Raptors. In fact, he was the first winner of the Kobe Bryant MVP award.

Credit: Youtube/Josh Carson JC3

The mentor closest to Irving's hard was Kobe. The two developed a deep bond during the last stages of his career and during Kyrie's beginning in the NBA. From moving teams, handling stardom, and co-exiting with LeBron James in the Cavs, Kobe had an impact on all his decisions.

Credit: Youtube/John Carson JC3

Booker is lately being labeled the next Kobe Bryant because of immense success this season. And after his first win against the LA Clippers in the WCF, he even thanked Kobe for helping him get to where he is right now.

Credit: Youtube/Book24

Tatum was already enroute to stardom in 2018 but his mentor-protege relationship with Kobe started after a video of the Mamba criticizing his game went live. Tatum admitted that he watched that clip 25 times and the summer after, the two were practicing one on one.

Credit: Youtube/John Carson Jc3

Davis, like Kawhi, was another player whose curiosity intrigued Kobe. Their relationship began during the 2012 Olympics and AD became Bryant's show. They would have meals together, stick together at practice, and even over the years kept in touch off the court as well.

Credit: Youtube/Karl Bilen



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Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum & Other NBA Players Who Kobe Bryant Has Mentored (2024)

FAQs

Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum & Other NBA Players Who Kobe Bryant Has Mentored? ›

The players Bryant has mentored, including Tatum and Antetokounmpo, have both been to the NBA Finals, with the latter leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a title in 2021, and have been in the MVP conversation pretty consistently over the last several years.

Who Kobe mentored? ›

The players Bryant has mentored, including Tatum and Antetokounmpo, have both been to the NBA Finals, with the latter leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a title in 2021, and have been in the MVP conversation pretty consistently over the last several years.

Did Luka Doncic train with Kobe? ›

The two have a history going back to 2018, when Doncic spent the summer training with Kobe Bryant. Fresh off from being the EuroLeague champion and MVP, there was tremendous pressure and expectations from the young European phenom.

Who does Jayson Tatum train with? ›

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has spent time working out in Los Angeles alongside his trainer Drew Hanlan and Hall of Famer Paul Pierce.

Who was Kobe's biggest enemy? ›

With that said, here are five of his greatest opponents on the court.
  1. 1 Tracy McGrady. The player Kobe claimed was his toughest opponent. ...
  2. 2 LeBron James. Both Bryant and James vied for the title of best in the league. ...
  3. 3 Tim Duncan. The player with the most wins over Kobe Bryant. ...
  4. 4 Allen Iverson. ...
  5. 5 Dwyane Wade.
Apr 6, 2024

Who was Michael Jordan's mentor? ›

and numerous other mentors who have guided iconic. athletes through life, they will illustrate how powerful. mentoring through sports can be.

Were Kobe Bryant and Jayson Tatum friends? ›

Tatum and Bryant were also developing a friendship in real time. Bryant broke down Tatum's game on ESPN's “Detail” series, and Tatum has talked about how much that meant to him. In an interview with Andscape's Marc Spears, Tatum broke down why he wishes he reached out to Bryant more before his death.

Who trained Kobe Bryant? ›

During his training for NBA,KOBE BRYANT,was one of the hardest workers ( according to his trainer,Tim Grover,who also mentored Michael Jordan). He adhered to a strict workout and diet regime. He did what was called the"666″ workouts,6 month,6 days,and 6 hours training. He had “ Mamba mentality”.

What players did Kobe train? ›

Some of the NBA's brightest stars attended Kobe Bryant's Mamba Academy Camp, including Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Paul George and Tobias Harris.

Who does LeBron train with? ›

LeBron is a three-time NBA champion, four-time MVP, and the current forward for the LA Lakers. With his trainer Mike Mancias, LeBron's created a training routine that focuses not just on his day-to-day goals but on longevity — because he has no plans of stopping his career anytime soon.

How did Kobe train as a kid? ›

Through determination, diet, and hard work. According to teammates, Kobe Bryant worked harder than anyone else, always showing up to practice early and well ahead of everyone else. He was driven to succeed and gave it his all. He practiced his moves, his speed, his jumps, and even practiced dribbling without a ball.

Does Jayson Tatum have a relationship with his father? ›

He explained, "He was so tough on me, which I appreciate, because I wouldn't be here if he wasn't." In the years since, Jayson has grown very close with his dad, and the father-son duo have mended their relationship.

Is Jayson Tatum with Jordan? ›

Five years later, Tatum is kicking off 2024 in the new Jordan Tatum 2s, a polarizing and podular design he's donned since debuting them on Christmas.

Who is Jayson Tatum's trainer? ›

He's Jayson Tatum's trainer, confidant, and right-hand man. Meet Nick Sang.

Who influenced Kobe? ›

The NFL Hall of Famer connected the dots between Bryant being someone who idolized Michael Jordan, then emulated him and had the gall to believe he could surpass the legend almost universally recognized as the greatest NBA player ever.

Who was the coach with Kobe Bryant? ›

Phil Jackson coached Kobe Bryant to five NBA titles. The former Lakers coach was witness to the multitude of on-court moments that made Bryant a beloved Los Angeles icon.

Who is the teacher of Kobe Bryant? ›

Kobe Bryant's High School Teacher Reveals Her Favorite Black Mamba Story. Jeanne Mastriano relived one of her best memories about Bryant which she termed a "really long story" and it happened when he was playing the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

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