Young hoopers always want to follow in the footsteps of legendary players. Kobe Bryant had that influence on the world. More so, his Mamba Mentality resonated with a lot of masses. One such fan is the son of the comedian, Bill Bellamy. On the Jennifer Hudson Show, Bellamy spoke about a heartwarming encounter with Kobe.

The “Comedy Tour” star comedian recalls how his son Baron was a ball boy for the L.A. Clippers. Baron asked his father if there was any possibility of meeting the Los Angeles Lakers legend. Since, at that point, Bellamy knew Kobe and didn’t think it would turn into a fiasco.

The 58-year-old said, “It was Kobe’s last home game playing the Clippers and so I’d seen Kobe and I was like, ‘Hey man, can you meet my son?’ He was like, ‘You got a son?’ I was like, ‘Yeah you got to see my little guy.” After the game Baron was ready to meet the legend but so were other reporters. After waiting for a long time, Bellamy got frustrated and wanted to save his face as his son started questioning him “I thought you knew him?”

The former VJ wanted to go home to save face from further questions or embarrassment from his son. He said “ And I will never forget, ‘I was like come on Baron let’s go home, Soon as I said that Kobe said, ‘Hold up hold up,’ and he brought him over, took a picture.” Such heartfelt moments make Kobe’s legacy even greater.

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Kobe Bryant inspires LSU star guard

Kobe started scouting young people with the help of Mamba Sports Academy. One such young player is creating a big name for herself in the small town of Cashmere, Washington. Hailey Van Lith once got a surprising message and invitation to meet Kobe. “I couldn’t believe it, that he actually knew who I was and thought I was a good player. When I later asked him, ‘Why me?’ he basically said the way I play, my work ethic and mentality on the court, reminded him of himself, and it compelled him to reach out to me,” Van Lith told LA Times.

“He told me to study the game. ‘Make yourself a well-rounded player and just master the game,’” she said in the same interview. Hailey Van Lith was already being coached by her father Corey, but to get to meet and call Kobe Bryant a mentor will always be a special memory for her.

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