Lakers News: Rookie Leaning Into Kobe Bryant Ties Ahead Of NBA Debut

His impact on the game truly cannot be put into words!

So many young basketball players watched number 8 and number 24 on the Los Angeles Lakers as they grew up and tried their best to be even 5% of what he was on the court. Whether it be mastering the fade away jumper, playing hard on both sides of the floor or even just yelling his name whenever they threw a paper ball into the trash can, everybody knows what Kobe Bryant means to the basketball community.

Now imagine making your way through the high school and college basketball world as one of the top recruits in the world while sharing the same name as the late, great Lakers legend. The Atlanta Hawks' newest 6'5 guard Kobe Bufkin can certainly relate to this.

Kobe Bufkin is one of the best movers without the ball in this draft class. I would think this indicates Quin Snyder is about to build an offensive system around Trae Young with more motion. Good choice for the Hawks if Trae embraces this style. pic.twitter.com/y70yn9fP3O

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 23, 2023

Bufkin is coming off of a sophomore season at Michigan University where he averaged 14 points and four rebounds and solidified himself as one of the best players at his position. His stock only grew the more time he spent in college and he was able to eventually hear his name called on the biggest stage.

The 19-year-old guard spoke on how it feels to have a common name with the Black Mamba and how he hopes to live up to any expectations.

Kobe Bufkin is embracing Mamba mentality 🐍 pic.twitter.com/K69aN8FmOC

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 26, 2023

"It means a lot," said Bufkin. "I'm trying to fill the shoes but I'm not putting no pressure on it. Those are hard shoes to fill, Kobe's DNA was way different than anybody else's. His work ethic was crazy but I'm going to try to take a piece of that and carry on some of it. If I can get half of it, I'll be alright."

(Via Atlanta Hawks)

We could not have said it better ourselves and we cannot wait to see Bufkin and so many other hoopers carry on everything Bryant taught the community.