Mamba Sports Academy Undergoes Big Change in Honor of Kobe Bryant

Honoring the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, the Mamba Sports Academy is retiring the term “Mamba” from it.

“Our beliefs and thoughts are, Kobe is one of one. ‘Mamba’ is one of one,” Sports Academy CEO Chad Faulkner told The Undefeated (H/T ESPN). “And with that as we carry on as The Sports Academy, it’s more appropriate to put Kobe in another Hall of Fame, if you will, and to really respect a legacy that is really unrivaled, frankly, and let that live on its own. We will continue to do the work we do.

“We were fortunate to learn from Kobe, we will carry on much of those learnings that we have in a respectful way.”

It was Faulkner who initially found Sports Academy in 2016. In 2018, the Mamba Sports Academy was launched as a joint venture with Kobe Bryant and Faulkner. The academy provided spacious training facilities for various sports for youth and adults. They are now rebranding it to Sports Academy in honor of Kobe Bryant.

“Today with respect for an unparalleled legacy, the academy will retire the ‘Mamba’ in Mamba Sports Academy name- to raise it to the rafters, where it belongs,” the Sports Academy said in a statement via its Twitter account that changed from @mambasportshq to @sportsxacademy.

Bryant had indeed left an unparalleled legacy when he retired from Basketball. He started his NBA career after getting into the 1996 Draft right after his high school graduation. When Charlotte Hornets picked him, he became the first guard to get drafted straight from high school. The Lakers then obtained the rights for Bryant, where he played his entire NBA career.

Kobe Bryant: A deserving Hall of Famer

Playing 20 seasons for the Lakers, he finished as an 18-time All-Star. He won the MVP award in 2008. He achieved a three-peat with the team, winning titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Bryant later won two more titles in 2009 and 2010.

For his incredible achievements, Bryant will deservingly become a part of the Basketball Hall of Fame in August later this year. Bryant will always be remembered for his industrious and competitive approach to the game as well as life.