Battling Dyslexia, WNBA Star Still Couldn’t Escape Kobe Bryant’s Stubborn Habit

Mamba Mentality isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s how Kobe Bryant lived. The ability to be better each day and overcome any hurdle is what made the Lakers legend iconic. On the court, he had his battles with injuries, but off the court, he had a battle that nearly 20% of the world suffers from. This also includes his mentee and current Aces star Jewell Loyd. Who recently detailed how Black Mamba’s stubbornness was for her own good.

Yes, the five-time NBA champion was dyslexic, and as per the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, it is the most common of all neuro-cognitive disorders. “I couldn’t spell, so the teacher told my mother that I was probably dyslexic, it was like somebody took me and dropped me in a bucket … in a tub of ice-cold water, because it shocked me.” Kobe was diagnosed at 13; his mother then secured specialized tutoring and support. Apparently, it is also what Kobe did for Gold Mamba.

Speaking to Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd described the most important takeaway from the mentorship of Kobe. “It’s probably, I mean, everyone talks about the mindset, but I think it’s the vulnerability.” As per the 2x WNBA champion, during one of her overseas tours, she received an email from the Lakers’ legend that contained 700 pages about his then-unreleased book “Wizenard”.Loyd hesitated until she learned the two-time Finals MVP understood her dyslexia.

“He knew that I’m dyslexic, so like reading and all those things is really hard, and you know he struggled with those things, too. So like having that moment was like bigger than anything, and it allowed me to see like one I’m human, right. But there’s other people that along the way that are going to help you,” said Loyd. She called this lesson from Kobe Bryant the biggest moment in their relationship.

“That was a big moment in our relationship, and that was like the year before he passed, too. We’re doing all these things, and I think that probably lasted a bigger impact than all the basketball stuff. He took the time to help me with something I struggle with, and I can do that for other people as well.”

Loyd isn’t alone, another Kobe protégé has her own story

It’s well documented that Kobe’s impact on the game was not limited to the NBA. His constant presence at the courtside during WNBA games, plus his vocal advocacy for the W and the players, was a testament to his love for the game. That’s why many WNBA stars, Candace Parker, Sabrina Ionescu, and Hailey Van Lith, among others, openly credit Black Mamba for his teachings. We know how close Jewell Loyd was to the Lakers legend, but one of her teammates also lives by the same motto.

Last season, A’ja Wilson scored over 1000 points in a single season. Mind you, she is the first player to do so. Apart from that, she bagged her 3rd MVP award and once spoke about the impact of Kobe Bryant. “It’s actually my phone’s screensaver. Kobe said, ‘Rest at the end, not in the middle.‘” That’s her drive for success, and she’s taking on season after season with that motivation. She is using this motivation to help others as well.

Off the court, Wilson has mirrored Kobe’s commitment to service. In 2019, she and her family founded the A’ja Wilson Foundation in South Carolina. The foundation to date has awarded four scholarships through a partnership with the Dyslexia Resource Center, hosted back-to-school drives distributing hundreds of backpacks, and funded anti-bullying workshops in over 20 elementary schools.

In embodying Mamba Mentality both in her play and her advocacy, Wilson continues Kobe’s legacy—proving that true greatness is measured not just in points, but in the lives you change.