Jeanie Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, shared a heartwarming memory of her first interaction with the late Kobe Bryant.
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During an interview with the Kids Sports Reporters, Buss recounted the day they met. “Kobe was just 17 and a half when I first met him,” she said. “He had just been drafted to the Lakers, and since both Jerry West and my dad, Jerry Buss, were out of town, I was asked to have lunch with him. When the waiter arrived, Kobe asked, ‘Do you speak Spanish?’ To which the waiter replied, ‘Yes.’ Kobe then said, ‘I want to learn Spanish. I want to chat with you in Spanish.’
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Kobe was truly remarkable for his multilingual skills, often engaging with fans and media in their own languages. He had a special bond with teammate Pau Gasol, which was strengthened by their shared language.
Buss noted, “Kobe not only learned Spanish, but he did so fluently, without any accent. That was his nature—setting goals and pursuing them with dedication.”
This personal anecdote sheds light on the essence of the Mamba Mentality, a philosophy centered on constant self-improvement that Bryant championed throughout his life.
Beyond basketball, Kobe’s legacy continues to inspire fans, particularly during the “Mamba Week” leading up to his birthday on August 23 and Kobe Bryant Day on August 24, celebrated in Los Angeles.
Kicking off this special week, The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation launched a new collection of purple and gold merchandise called “LA Royal,” with various events honoring Bryant happening across Los Angeles.