“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.” NBA icon Kobe Bryant‘s legacy isn’t just the championships and accolades that he won. More importantly, it was his impact on the next generation of stars. Bryant was accessible, down to earth, and always ready to teach the tricks of the trade to the upcoming athletes. This can be proven by the fact that he started the Mamba Academy in 2018 with the core mission of helping young kids reach their true potential. And that’s where Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger met him. And naturally, to date, she looks awed by her precious experience of meeting Bryant.

Avinger was present in an exclusive chat on EssentiallySports’ Dual Threat Show when she spoke about her impression of the Black Mamba. Our correspondent BG12 questioned how she felt after meeting him and naturally, the NCAA Starlet couldn’t help but sing hymns in his praise.

Asia Avinger: “When you’re on the court with Kobe… Kobe is all about that, he’s all about that Mamba mentality. And so… and so we were having a training camp cuz I play for team Taurasi. We were having a training camp and he was one of like, the coaches for the day and he was just teaching us how to pay attention to detail, be very focused, but he talks so intently and like you can just feel his presence. Like he’s very… he’s very passionate about the way he goes about the game.”

Notably, Avinger was one of the coaching assistants at the Mamba Academy, which Bryant had started in partnership with Chad Faulkner in 2018. Plus, as stated by Avinger, she also got to spend time with Kobe when she was playing for Team Taurasi of the California Storm. This, once again, is a testament to the fact that Kobe was involved in helping young players give their best. But the Los Angeles Lakers legend wasn’t only looked up to for mentoring young athletes but majorly for his Mamba Mentality.

“Kobe went back in the game like nothing happened. Vintage Kobe.,” Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reported about the legendary Kobe Bryant in 2016 when he dislocated a finger while playing against the San Antonio Spurs. Looking in pain, Bryant then popped back his finger with the help of his trainer, Gary Vitti, and continued the game. Such was Bryant’s dedication to the sport. And he showed that not only once but on many occasions when he played through injuries, sometimes compensating with his left hand and others with a broken nose.

There were also moments when he played, irrespective of food poisoning and flu. And that instilled a belief in players like Avinger to give their all to the game. As for his bond with youngsters, his most precious relationship was with current WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu.

Kobe Bryant’s unbreakable bond with Sabrina Ionescu

Ionescu met the Black Mamba for the first time when he attended an Oregon game in 2019. Notably, Bryant had turned up along with his daughter Gigi to watch Ionescu in action, which certainly was nothing short of a highlight of a lifetime for Ionescu. Bryant gave some super useful tips to Ionescu that won her heart and the ex-Oregon star started working out with Gianna.

Kobe also kept an eye on her future games and gave her super useful tips when needed. This helped Ionescu improve her play and become incredibly sharp at basketball. Hence, when Bryant passed away, it felt like a personal loss to Ionescu.

Perhaps, now that Avinger has come forward to talk about Bryant’s real persona, fans would have their curiosities satisfied. Meanwhile, she can go ahead and make the most of the tips Kobe gave and hopefully emerge as one of the best players of her generation.