While it has been more than four years since the late Kobe Bryant passed away, the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s influence can still be felt today. This is evident when Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum chose number 10 for his Team USA jersey to honor the Black Mamba.
Tatum’s admiration for Bryant has been well-documented throughout his NBA career. Despite donning the iconic Celtics green, the NBA champion has always been vocal about his fandom for the Lakers icon.
The Celtics superstar has credited Bryant as the reason he started playing basketball, citing his incredible work ethic, killer mentality, and smooth mid-post footwork as inspirations. As a result, he has made numerous tributes to his idol, including wearing a Celtics shirt identical to the one Bryant wore during his pre-draft workout with Boston in 1996. Tatum has also gotten a “24” tattoo of two black mamba snakes on his leg, honoring Kobe’s jersey number and nickname.
When Bryant tragically passed away in 2020, Tatum expressed his heartbreak, calling him his “hero” and “the reason I started to play this game.” The two had developed a mentorship, with Tatum cherishing the time he got to work out with Bryant, describing it as “the best day” of his life, aside from his son’s birth.
Despite the historic rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers, Tatum’s admiration for Kobe Bryant has transcended the on-court competition, cementing his status as one of the Lakers legend’s most devoted fans.
Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Shares Thoughts on Choosing Team USA Jersey Number 10 to Honor Kobe Bryant
After winning a ring for Boston, Tatum’s attention is now on winning the gold medal with Team USA while honoring the late Bryant at the same time. In a video shared by Arash Markazi on X, the Celtics star explained why he chose the number 10 for his jersey.
Tatum will join a star-studded roster headlined by Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry , and Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant. These three veterans will be supported by rising stars in the league, such as Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton.
The Olympics will soon begin in a couple of weeks, setting the stage for Team USA’s quest to win the gold. If successful, this iteration of the squad can go down in history as one of the best to ever play on the global stage.
