NBA star Jayson Tatum is honoring Kobe Bryant in a particular means on the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Boston Celtics participant, who simply gained the NBA Finals in June, will put on No. 10 for Staff USA — the identical jersey quantity Bryant wore on the 2008 and 2012 Video games, based on Folks. Tatum introduced the information at USA Basketball’s coaching camp in Las Vegas, telling reporters that sporting the jersey quantity is “nothing wanting an honor.”
“Anybody who remotely is aware of me is aware of how a lot affect that he had on me as a child, inspiring me to achieve my objectives,” Tatum mentioned about Bryant, who died in a 2020 helicopter crash alongside eight others, together with his daughter Gianna.
“It’s undoubtedly not one thing I take as a right or frivolously,” Tatum added through the press convention.
Tatum has been a fan of Bryant’s for years. The Celtics participant first met the Lakers legend when he was a baby, based on Folks. Tatum reportedly skilled with Bryant within the offseason following his rookie season, and sometimes sought out the NBA star for steering.
Tatum paid tribute to Bryant on Instagram after his tragic passing, calling the late basketball star his “hero” and “idol.”
“[Bryant is] the explanation I began to play this recreation, the explanation I fell in love with this recreation,” Tatum wrote alongside a carousel of photographs of himself, Bryant, and Bryant’s household. “Rising up desirous to be similar to you, to you turning into a mentor, past grateful for all the pieces you’ve performed for me.”
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He continued on, sharing that Bryant informed him that by no means had a “plan B” when it got here to his NBA profession and that he put all his “eggs in a single basket” as a result of he knew he was “going to make it occur.”
“Listening to you say that caught with me on a regular basis of my life,” Tatum wrote concerning the dialog he had with the late NBA participant. “You impressed me and I’m eternally grateful greater than ! Love you Bean! Unhappy, unhappy, unhappy day RIP Kobe and Gianna! Praying for the household!”
Tatum will play alongside fellow NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and extra on the Paris Video games, which kick off on July 26.
