“I’m around for all the guys”: How Kobe Bryant supported young NBA players

The late Kobe Bryant remains one of the most celebrated and influential players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history, remembered not only for his countless accolades on the court but also for the impact he left off it.

Bryant retired in 2016 after a storied 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he scored 33,643 points, won five NBA championships, and earned numerous individual honors, including the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player award, two NBA Finals MVPs, and four NBA All-Star Game MVPs. Both of his jersey numbers, 8 and 24, were retired by the Lakers, a rare honor that reflected his extraordinary career.

Even after stepping away from the game, Bryant remained deeply connected to the NBA. In a 2017 interview, he revealed his openness to guiding younger players, emphasizing that anyone could reach out if they were willing to listen.

“You never know who might call. I’m around for all the guys. Anybody can reach out. It’s an open book,” Bryant said at the time.

The Lakers legend stayed in close contact with several stars of the next generation, including Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Isaiah Thomas, and Gordon Hayward — who spent three days training with Bryant in Orange County. His role as a mentor went beyond basketball skills, often extending to personal support. When Thomas lost his sister in a tragic accident before a 2017 playoff series, Bryant immediately called to offer condolences and advice.

Kyrie Irving On Kobe Bryant’s Advice To him 🗣️💯🐐 https://t.co/oJsnmVBcZc pic.twitter.com/jPVrWEclhR

— 8/24𝕄𝕒𝕞𝕓𝕒-𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣🐍 (@8_24Mamba4Ever) March 16, 2025

“I told him, ‘I don’t know whether you should decide to play or not play. But if you are going to play, then you gotta play. Maybe you can find some peace in moments out there,’” Bryant recalled. “I was happy to help him. He had the courage to ask. I did the same thing with Michael Jordan when I was a young player.”

Beyond mentorship, Bryant also urged athletes to prepare for life after basketball, stressing the importance of finding new passions.

“Unfortunately for us athletes, the retirement age is 32, 34, or, if you’re lucky, 37, like myself. What comes next? The question needs to be, ‘What is my passion?’ Not where I can create the most value or generate the most revenue, but what is my next passion? When you find that, everything else will make sense,” he said.

Bryant followed his own advice, diving into creative projects, including storytelling, film, and youth sports initiatives. Tragically, his post-retirement journey was cut short in January 2020, when he died in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others.

Despite the tragedy, his legacy endures. Beyond his championships, MVPs, and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA, Bryant is remembered as a relentless competitor, a mentor to the next generation, and an icon whose influence continues to shape the game of basketball.

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