Kobe Bryant’s McDonald’s All-American Ex-Teammate Triggers Nostalgia With 39YO Memory

There’s something special about stumbling upon an old photo. Memories rush back, details you thought you’d forgotten suddenly feel vivid again. That’s exactly what happened when one of Kobe Bryant’s old teammates pulled out a snapshot from nearly 30 years ago. A moment frozen in time from the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Game – before the NBA rings, before the Mamba Mentality took over the world. Back when they were just kids, chasing a dream

Before their NBA battles, Kobe and Richard Hamilton teamed up for the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Game in Pittsburgh. Both Hamilton and Bryant were also roommates at the time. It was the 19th annual edition, and the two led the East team. Following this, Bryant went to the NBA while Hamilton went on to play for the UConn for three seasons. As the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game wraps up with a roster filled with talent, the former NBA player had a surprise call-back.

Rip Hamilton dug through his archives and uncovered a relic from basketball’s past – a grainy snapshot of the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Game. He posted it on Instagram, daring fans to recognize the faces of young hoopers who would go on to become legends. “Congrats to all the kids playing in the high school @mcdaag today! Should be fun to watch! How many players can you name in our class of 96 in the photo’s? #holdat #allamerican #allamericangames #highschool,” he captioned the post.

Jermaine Walker, Nate James, Tim Thomas, Shaheen Holloway, Stephen Jackson, and many more were on the roster. His Instagram followers also commented, naming all the players they could recognize from the pictures. Equally talented was the West team, featuring Loren Woods, Mateen Cleaves, Mike Bibby, Corey Benjamin, and Jason Collier.

Even in high school, Bryant’s talent was undeniable. He put up 13 points and three assists, showcasing the skills that would make him an NBA icon. The East clinched a 120-105 win over the West. Jackson regretted not winning MVP, but Bryant erased that feeling with one statement.

Stephen Jackson got Kobe Bryant’s approval

In what would become his final interview before his tragic passing, Kobe Bryant appeared on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All The Smoke podcast. With two former teammates in the same room, nostalgia was inevitable, and the conversation soon turned to their high school days.

Jackson, known for his grit throughout his NBA career, had one lingering regret – missing out on the McDonald’s All-American MVP honor. “I shoulda won MVP,” he told Bryant, a statement laced with a competitive edge.

Bryant, never one to downplay achievement, responded with a question of his own: “You won the MVP, didn’t you?” The words hung in the air for a moment before Jackson said. “I’m glad you said that, Kob…That’s all I wanted to hear,” he admitted.

Statistically, Jackson had a case. He led all scorers with 21 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting, including three three-pointers. But it was Shaheen Holloway who took home the MVP trophy, largely due to a highlight-reel bounce pass to Lester Earl for a dunk that became the defining play of the game. “Shaheen Holloway, he had like ten turnovers too, bro. But you know what got him MVP? Remember the bounce pass to Lester Earl. He dunked on Vass. I think that was the big play,” Bryant recalled.

For Jackson, an MVP trophy from a high school all-star game wouldn’t have changed his career, but Bryant’s recognition was validation from one of the game’s ultimate competitors. If Mamba himself believed Jackson had done enough to win it, maybe that was better than the award itself.