The Kobe Bryant Story of Hailey Van Lith: College Basketball Superstar Who Reminded the NBA Legend of Himself and Mentored His Daughter Gianna

Throughout the history of the NBA, Kobe Bryant stood out as one of the best shooting guards. He served 20 years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, setting many records, making many scores, and inspiring many people through his games. Among those people, there was one who shared some instances of when Bryant helped her.

Besides teaching her great techniques for building up her confidence in this sport, he mentored her to achieve what she has today. Hailey Van Lith comes from Cashmere, Washington, where she has worked very hard and has been very dedicated to her sport. On Prospects Nation, the women’s basketball ranking site, she is the No. 1 guard in the country and No. 2 player overall.

Cashmere High School honored NBA legend Kobe at their Girl’s basketball game, a match between the Bulldogs’ home game against Omak. Bryant and her daughter, Gianna, were among nine people who perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

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Two weeks prior to this incident, Bryant attended a girl’s basketball game to show her support for her student varsity player, Hailey Van. She was training under Bryant for a few months prior to this. According to an interview conducted with the College Basketball Star, who reminded the NBA legend of himself.

Hailey Van Lith shared the text message she received from Kobe Bryant

During the interview, she shared a text message she received from Bryant explaining how she got in touch with him. After a Team USA game, she received an unexpected text while waiting at Thailand’s airport. She said:

“The text was from one of Kobe’s main guys — I called him ‘T,’ and he just basically said that Kobe knew about me, loved my game and really wanted to get me to L.A. to work with him and talk about basketball,” Hailey said in a phone conversation.

Additionally, her father also discussed some motives of Bryant, apart from helping Hailey. As he said, Bryant wanted to help Hailey and show her daughter an example. According to him:

“Hailey has devoted her life so far to becoming the best person and basketball player she can possibly be, and he wanted to show Gigi, ‘If you do this, you can attain the goals you want to attain’,”. Using Bryant’s daughter’s nickname, Hailey’s father, Corey Van Lith explained.

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Whether it is through his charity work or inspiring others to join this sport, Bryant has made such a positive impact on so many people. It is amazing to see his dedication to supporting the young generation, particularly in women’s basketball. Though he is no longer here, Vanessa Marie continues to carry on the legacy he left behind. If you have any favorite Bryant moments, please share them in the comments below.