What It Was Like to Play Basketball With Kobe Bryant

KOBE BRYANT REMEMBRANCE SHARE OF THE DAY

"ONE OF THE BEST TO EVER PLAY IN THE N.B.A" R.I.P

Since Kobe Bryant died—along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others—in a helicopter crash three years ago today, I’ve heard from friends, including ones I haven’t spoken to in years, on what seems like a weekly basis. They’ve all, by happenstance, come across a clip, most often on Instagram or TikTok, of Kobe Bryant discussing foul-shooting technique, or sharing his tricks of the trade on defense. Is that really you, they often ask, with him in the video, asking questions? (It is.)

The latest instance was Tuesday night, when a high school classmate pinged me on Instagram. And there I was, in another Instagram reel, playing meek defense on Bryant, as he mockingly tells me, “don’t reach!” The user put an emotive piano tune over the action, serving as a somber reminder that he’s gone.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT Charlie Lee] Sgt (Join to see) GySgt Jack Wallace SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC Gary C. SPC (Join to see) Amn Dale Preisach SGT Ruben Lozada 1SG Paul Ayotte CPT Richard Trione SFC Ralph E Kelley 1SG Patrick Burke PV2 Scott Mollette SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell Lt Col Charlie Brown