The article below was originally published in 2017 … As the world mourns the loss of a great sportsman, an amazing player, and a great family man, we wanted to look back at how Kobe Bryant always gave his time for the good of the game. All games. And wanted to help keep kids in the game.
Here is Kobe Bryant’s #Don’t Retire Kid video:
Nike Celebrated Basketball Culture, Welcoming Legend Kobe Bryant in Paris
Arriving in the French capital, Bryant visited the Paris Saint-Germain players following their Champions League victory against Anderlecht.
Soccer News: It is not often sports fans are able to see big names in soccer and basketball together — but this fun news items shows what we hope is a growing popular trend.
A big football fan, the five-time NBA champion was greeted by Antero Henrique and Maxwell and invited to join the players of Paris Saint-Germain at the Ooredoo training center.
Bryant spoke with the Parisians about his legendary “Mamba Mentality” and as a football enthusiast, took the opportunity to juggle with the Paris Saint-Germain players and watch the entire training session alongside Antero Henrique and Maxwell.
Kobe Bryant declared, “It’s not my first time in Paris, I’ve been in the city many times. But I used to play around this time of the year, so I’m very fortunate to be able to come now, here at the practice facility.”
Bryant added, “I don’t miss playing, but I do enjoy coming and watching how some of the best players in the world prepare and how the best organizations in the world prepare. I spent a great amount of time asking questions and try to understand what they do.”
I’ve been extremely blown away about what I saw today.
The meeting between basketball and football stars highlights the growing influence of basketball beyond the parquet in Europe, and that of soccer in America
Bryant is staying in Paris for several days and will tomorrow take part in the launch of the Quartier in the 19th arrondissement, an area entirely dedicated to the game of basketball and its culture.
From Saturday 21 October, this gymnasium will be transformed into a basketball arena for fans of the game in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain continues to maintain close ties with American basketball. Kobe Bryant’s visit follows that of three other NBA stars this season: Karl-Anthony Towns who visited Parc des Princes in June, Stephen Curry who kicked off the match against Saint-Etienne and Gary Payton who attended the game against Olympique Lyonnais.
Photo Credit: Paris Saint-Germain
