Hyped and hailed as a “generational talent”, Paige Bueckers is on the roll after returning to the basketball court. Apart from her skills, she’s getting spotlight for her spirits. A basketball player for UConn lately paid tribute to late NBA player Kobe Bryant. And now, she has paid homage to his daughter.

Even before she arrived at UConn, Paige Bueckers was well-known in the women’s basketball community. Regretfully, an ACL tear cost her a season and kept her out of action for 1.5 years. But Buecker declared that she would be back for the NCAA season in 2023 and made a sprited comeback.

Paige Bueckers pays homage to Mamba’s daughter

Uconn is one of the six universities that decided to honor Kobe Bryant and Gigi Bryant by wearing their signature Nike shoes in the upcoming NCAA season. The Buckeyes sported a shirt that said, “If you think you can’t, UConn,” on Tuesday. Gigi Bryant, a well-known UConn supporter, is quoted in the phrase.

Maggie Vanoni of Uconn posted an image of Paige Bueckers wearing a t-shirt in memory of Gigi Bryant: “T-shirt for media today. The 2021 National Player of the Year makes her highly anticipated return to the court tomorrow vs. Dayton.” The remark appeared on the Huskies’ warm-up jerseys for the first time in January 2021. It is taken from a letter that Bryant addressed to the squad following a defeat.

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Before UConn’s season opener against Dayton, Bueckers talked about how Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” supported her during her recovery from the ACL injury that sidelined her for the whole previous campaign.

Bueckers on “Mamba Mentality”

Paige claimed in an interview with ESPN that she had read Bryant’s book, which had aided her in navigating the injury and recovery process. According to her, Kobe’s “mentality, his approach, and just how much he dedicated his life to the game” got her through her life’s terrible phase.

She remarked, “I thought a lot about Kobe when this injury first happened. I read the book Mamba Mentality. He simply saw his injuries as another task to complete and another opportunity to disprove others.”

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Since Kobe enjoyed difficulties, he was motivated to succeed even more by everything he faced or that others doubted he could conquer. This Mamba Mentality has now passed down to the college star seen as the next big thing in the women’s basketball league.