In the world of basketball, connections often transcend the court, weaving personal and professional lives into a rich tapestry of mentorship and friendship. One such story involves Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, a standout WNBA player, and the late Kobe Bryant, whose influence continues to resonate in the sport.
Collier, a four-time WNBA All-Star, fondly recalls her time with Gigi Bryant at the Mamba Academy, where they engaged in spirited one-on-one games. Gigi’s competitive spirit, even at just 13 years old, left a lasting impression on Collier, who noted that Gigi was as fierce as many seasoned players in the league. This connection laid the groundwork for a bond that would grow even deeper over time.
The relationship between Collier and the Bryants flourished during their shared visits to the NCAA Women’s Final Four, where Collier showcased her talents for the UConn Huskies. It was during one of these visits that Collier expressed her desire to work with Gigi, leading to a memorable summer filled with training sessions. Alex Bazzell, an accomplished coach, soon became an integral part of Gigi’s development, training her alongside other young athletes.
A pivotal moment came when Kobe Bryant called Bazzell after a workout session. Although Bazzell missed the call, Kobe left a message praising his coaching and encouraging him to continue training the girls. This unexpected endorsement from one of basketball’s greatest icons opened the door for Bazzell to coach Gigi and her teammates regularly.
WNBA Star Napheesa Collier Shares His Unique Relationship With Late Kobe Bryant and Gigi
Just recently, Collier shared how she Bryant and her daughter became a part of her life. This can be seen in an episode of Podcast P with Paul George on YouTube.
“Yeah, so Gigi was a huge fan of UCONN, so that’s where I first met them. And then my husband, Alex, used to be an NBA trainer, so we’d be in LA all the time because all the guys go out there to train. I was out there one summer and I’m just like, ‘Hey, Kobe, I’m in LA. If Gigi ever wants to work out, let me know.’ And he messaged back, for sure, why don’t you come out next week and work out with the girls?
The workout I did turned out to just be me working out and all the girls watching. So he called Alex the next week and Alex didn’t answer. And he got a text like, ‘Hey, it’s Kob, call me back.’ Alex Called him back, call back. He’s like, yo, I absolutely loved your workout. I love what you’re doing. Can you come train the girls. So we went back to LA, he was training the girls three times a week, so we’d be there all the time.
So yeah, it just kind of formed through that. It was so cool just picking his brain. My junior year, I’m sure you saw the shot of Arike [Ogunbowale] making that game winner. It was over me in the semis, and then she went give a crazier one in the finals. So even that one, he was breaking it down what he would think in that moment.
He’s like, okay, you have to know the shot clock and you have to count down your head because she can’t go to the basket after a certain number of seconds, so you’re counting down five, four, and then you got to press up on her and make sure she has to drive so she can’t take that shot.
Just stuff like that. The way that he saw the game, stuff that he would think of in real time, being able to pick his brain, that was amazing. And then of course, being around him every week, multiple times a day, you just saw what amazing person he was. He was just someone who made you feel so special all the time.
He would remember everybody’s names. He would remember details about conversations you had, just make you feel like the most special person ever. Such a great dad. Such a great coach,” Collier said.
Throughout this period, Kobe’s mentorship extended to Collier as well. He frequently provided her with tactical insights and feedback after games, helping her refine her skills and elevate her performance. His passion for the game and dedication to promoting women’s basketball were evident in every interaction, leaving a profound impact on both Collier and Bazzell.
Tragically, the untimely passing of Kobe and Gigi Bryant in 2020 cast a shadow over the basketball community. For Collier and Bazzell, the loss was deeply felt, but they remain committed to honoring the legacy of the Bryant family. By advocating for equality and inclusion in women’s sports, they continue to carry forward the values that Kobe instilled in them, ensuring that his influence endures for future generations of athletes.
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