Kobe Bryant first entered my life when he was 17, and I was 13, in 1996. He’d just joined the NBA directly from high school, and immediately became my favourite player in a sport I was crazy about.
The way he walked, talked and played was to me a direct physical representation of the music I grew up listening to – West Coast hip-hop. Kobe was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Italy, but almost immediately became as much a part of the LA life as palm trees and year-round sunshine. Being born and raised in LA myself, Kobe became a part of me as well. Throughout my tennis life (both junior and professional), I always looked to him for inspiration. As he grew and matured, so did I.
I vividly remember where I was when he found Shaq with that heart-pounding alley-oop pass in 2000, to famously complete a deciding game comeback victory against the Portland Trailblazers. I was 16 and prepping myself for what would be my first international tennis championship win. I remember where I was during the Lakers’ lull in 2006, when Kobe sunk the game-winner against the Phoenix Suns – I was watching, getting ready to go to Sunday mass and nursing an injured wrist that eventually needed surgery. I remember staying up till the wee hours of a morning in June 2010 in London, after losing a tough Wimbledon match, to watch Kobe lead the Lakers to one of the grittiest Game 7 comebacks in sports history, to defeat their archrival Boston Celtics.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE FUTURE SOUNDS LIKE AT EEZ
The Coachella-slaying, multi-language-singing, genre-obliterating members of Ateez are quickly becoming load-bearing stars of our global pop universe.
DEMNA UNMASKED
He's the most influential designer of the past decade. He's also the most controversial. Now the creative director of Balenciaga is exploring a surprising source of inspiration: happiness. GQ's Samuel Hine witnesses the dawn of Demna's new era, in Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Photographs by Jason Nocito.
Inside the undercover adventures of a full-time fraud sleuth.
HOW TO MAKE A FORTUNE AS A PROFESSIONAL WHISTLE-BLOWER
A LIFE OF FASHION
In an extensive conversation, the menswear icon discusses his rise, his mistakes, his triumphs, his retirement, and what the future holds for him and his beloved brand.
IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH GEORGE & BRAD
They've spent three decades living intertwined lives at the inconceivably glamorous height of Hollywood. Now, having crossed the threshold of 60, they're more comfortable than ever throwing bombs, dispensing hard-won wisdom, and, yes, arguing about who had the better mullet in the '80s.
ALEXANDER THE GRITTY
One of India's most creative chefs comes of age.
Penning History
Montblanc marks 100 years of its iconic Meisterstück with new writing instruments inspired by the 1924 Olympic Games.
Royal Enfield Forges a New Path
Say hello to the company's most cutting-edge roadster.
Arooj Aftab Owns the Night
The Grammy Award-winning artist, fresh off a Glastonbury set, speaks to GQ about her new album, Night Reign, from the ideas that led to its conception to its genre-defying collabs with Elvis Costello, Kaki King and more.
Louis Vuitton's New Beat
The luxury maison's latest addition to the Tambour line reiterates its commitment to watchmaking and craftsmanship.