- Slug: Sports-Bryant ASU Men, about 700 words.
- File photo available
By Edith Noriega
Cronkite News
TEMPE – Arizona State basketball coach Bobby Hurley fondly remembers the one time he crossed paths with then 18-year-old Kobe Bryant.
“His rookie year, my last,” Hurley said. “I remember playing him in L.A. I made a move and he made a comment about Duke because I had played there. ‘Don’t try that Duke stuff here.’ He was a baby, 18 years old then.”
Bryant had just started his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and Hurley was finishing his with the Sacramento Kings.
“It’s been tough. (The team has) been in a bit of a funk since then,” Hurley said of the helicopter crash in which Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people were killed Sunday. “There are so many guys on our team that idolize Kobe and so it’s been a struggle.
With ASU basketball (3-3, 12-7) scheduled to play at Washington State (3-5, 12-9) Wednesday night, Hurley said the team has done what it could during practice since the news broke.
“We’ve been trying to work through it as best we can. He meant so much to this generation of players and to see that happen and families torn apart like that with such a tragedy, it’s very, very upsetting.”
Bryant’s 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers included five NBA championships, two U.S. gold medals, 18 All Star appearances and a shower of accolades that followed.
Bryant was much more than basketball to many. He was a father, husband, brother and uncle to those close to him. To many in the basketball community, he was a court legend.
“Kobe, he meant a lot to me,” said ASU guard Alonzo Verge Jr. “With him retiring I would just watch videos of his interviews. The way he thinks and the way his work ethic’s like no other. It’s crazy, I’m lost for words.
“I don’t really have too much to say about that because I don’t want to get emotional but he meant a lot.”
Verge Jr. put up the game winning layup Saturday to help ASU beat Arizona, 66-65. The Sun Devils are now on a two-game streak as they set to play two crucial road games.
Remy Martin continues to remain hot on the court, leading the Pac-12 in scoring with 19.7 points per game.
While talking to the media, Martin set aside basketball and reflected on his family and heritage.
“It’s a sad moment for everybody in basketball,” Martin said. “He had such a big impact on everybody including myself. As a Filipino family as well, Kobe was a big inspiration to them and I went back home after the game on Saturday and L.A. was just crazy.
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