Team USA has started on the journey towards its 5th consecutive Olympic gold in Paris. The beginning of this streak was led by the Black Mamba himself, making his debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. With less than three and a half minutes left on the clock during the finals, Kobe Bryant, with his four-point play, let the world know Team USA was still at the top. As the team continues as a formidable opponent today, one certainly reminisces the lost force on the court, so here’s a brief recollection.

4 years prior to Mamba’s Redeem Team, the youngest team for America yet was expected to carry the weight of 12 previous Olympic golds. But the mighty Argentia held them to their only 2nd bronze. That would be the last of it when Kobe led LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Jason Kidd among others to go undefeated throughout the tournament.

The Lakers legend had missed two Olympic games before 2008 due to various reasons. But when he made his debut, he had LeBron James say, “The U.S. is back on top again,” by the tournament’s end. The Black Mamba started all 8 games, averaging 23.5 minutes for 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. To seal the victory against Spain, Bryant put up 20 points and 6 assists, while making 7 of 14 from the field. 13 of his points for the night came in just the fourth quarter.

One cannot forget the moment when Bryant ran into his Lakers teammate and dear friend, Pau Gasol, during the USA vs. Spain Tournament. In the locker room, Bryant said, “I plan on running through Pau’s f***ing chest,” and minutes later, he did, resulting in an early foul. Pau remembers the moment, “He just went right into the middle of my chest, tried to get right through me to send a message,” said Gasol, who knew that Bryant prioritized nothing but winning. 

Kobe Bryant represented the USA Men’s Basketball Team for the second and last time in the 2012 London Olympics. As usual, Bryant was relentless alongside a team tagged for ‘quickness and speed’. Jerry Colangelo believed the team to be better than the 2008 roster in experience and athleticism. Team USA rightly went undefeated the entire tournament once again and it was remarkable all the way through.

One of the biggest wins for Team USA in 2012 Olympics came against Nigeria. They secured their third win for the leg by a whopping margin of 83 record – an Olympic record. Kobe scored 16 points there in mere 11 minutes. His time was cut short due to seemingly evoking his opponents. “I personally never [have been] around another athlete like that. His switch was just on at all times,” Tyson Chandler said via Fox Sports.

But overall, Bryant averaged a little over 17 minutes across 8 games for 12.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game average, scoring a total of 97 points. Kobe soon retired from international competitions, ending his national team record with 26-0.

Gone, but never forgotten. Kobe Bryant’s legacy lives on with his influence felt in every corner of the sport. As the torch is being passed on to the USA team, jersey number 10 will have a new bearer.

Jayson Tatum Honors Kobe Bryant, Dons Jersey Number 10

With the Paris Olympics 2024 at the start, Kobe Bryant’s legacy takes on a new chapter. Jayson Tatum will don Jersey number 10 at the Olympic games as a tradition to pay tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. Tatum was one among the many who looked up to Kobe as an inspiration. “I think with anything, whatever your profession is, there’s always that first person who inspired you to chase that goal, to do what you set out to do. For me, it was Kobe,” said Tatum in an interview.

Tatum reportedly first met Kobe when he was a kid. He became the reason for the 2024 champion to start playing basketball and as fate would have it, even got a chance to train with him in the off season after his rookie year. That bore its fruits. Kobe was all praise for young Tatum then. “By and large, I love what I’m seeing from him, especially on the defensive end,” he said, singing praises for his ability to get physical and work both ends.

Jayson remained a top performer for the Celtics this season on both offensive and defensive ends with 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Now as he heads towards his second Olympic gold, the Boston Celtics Star adds, “Nothing short of an honor to be able to represent this uniform and wear No. 10.” Here, Kobe continues to exist. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.