Hours After Breakup, Taylor Swift Reportedly Linked with 8 Years Younger Lakers Star Called ‘Hillbilly Kobe’ Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers boast a separate fanbase among celebrities. Iconic pop singer Taylor Swift is one of those many celebrities who cheer on for the purple and gold. Besides, Swift shared a close bond with the legendary lost Laker, Kobe Bryant. The two had even shared a stage when the Bad Blood singer performed at the Staples Center in 2015. Turns out, Swift may be starting a new chapter with the Lakers and one of its key players.

As recent reports suggest, Taylor Swift broke up with Matty Healy only after one month of dating. Does her breakup have anything to do with the NBA? It does. Swift is now reportedly linked with a Lakers star, who is eight years younger than her.

Report links Taylor Swift with Lakers’ ‘Hillbilly Kobe’

The 25-year-old Lakers star Austin Reaves has become a fan-favorite for LA. Interestingly, the youngster is nicknamed ‘Hillbilly Kobe’ by many fans. As Reaves puts it, he got this nickname from his college days for his offensive skill set. Hillbilly Kobe, however, is now turning heads for a different reason. Reaves is now linked with Taylor Swift, who recently broke up with the 1975 frontman, Matt Healy.

The Twitter handle ‘HoopsMixOnly’ has tweeted the latest update about the pop singer and the young Laker, “Following her breakup, Taylor Swift was reportedly seen in an Arkansas Bar this weekend with star Laker basketball player Austin Reaves,” HoopsMixOnly captioned the Tweet.

Taylor Swift’s link-up with Hillbilly Kobe is a new chapter in her connection with the Los Angeles Lakers. Back then, in chapters of old, the real Kobe Bryant had time and again surprised the pop singer.

Taylor Swift’s bond with Kobe Bryant

When Taylor Swift was breaking through, the 5x-NBA champion, Kobe Bryant, was quick to laud her success. Furthermore, Kobe surprised the Grammy winner when Swift performed at the Staples Center in 2015, where she put up 16 sold-out shows. As LA then had 16 trophies in their cabinet, Kobe remarked that 16 was a special number. Soon, he pointed towards LA’s championship banners. Next to them, a new banner that said ‘Taylor Swift’ and ‘most sold-out performances’ was unveiled.

READ MORE: “The Quarter That Made a Dynasty”: 23 Years Later, NBA Fans Revisit Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s Masterclass Finals Performance

The LA front office, however, would later take down the banner honoring Swift’s performance as the Laker nation viewed it as a jynx. Although her banner won’t be there in LA anymore, she seems to still have that connection with the Lakers. She has now been seen with Austin Reaves. We will have to wait and see if something is going on between her and Hillbilly Kobe.

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