WATCH: Kyrie Irving opens up on Kobe Bryant's impact on him

American basketball player Kyrie Irving has recently talked about Kobe Bryant's impact on his professional career. Notably, the 32-year-old has successfully placed himself in the finals of the NBA after his magnificent performances. However, the Melbourne-born star was asked about the impact Kobe Byrant had on him, and he went on to speak about the LA Lakers legend.

Notably, both legendary players met each other back in 2012, when Team USA was gearing up for the London Olympics. Meanwhile, at the same time, Irving asked Bryant to a one-on-one match while offering a $50,000 prize. Irving later said that his respect for the five-time winners had grown as he knew how hard it was to win the title while Bryant had five.

The great player has revealed that losing Kobe in his life was the most difficult thing for him. In addition, the 32-year-old star still feels that he has some intense connection with the LA Lakers legend. Moreover, the Dallas Mavericks star revealed that not only Kobe but his family also supported him unconditionally, and he misses him every single day.

I miss him every single day alongside the rest of the world and all the Kobe supporters: Irving

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I had that type of mentorship and relationship with him where I was able to ask him almost anything… He was just easy to approach with those type of questions about what goes on day in and day out, chasing something that’s bigger than yourself,” said Kyrie Irving.

“I don't know if anyone in here has ever lost a mentor or lost someone that's a little bit older than them, meant something to them. Even if you guys don't talk every day, there was still that connection that they were always gonna be there for you. It wasn't just him, it was his family as well. They supported me unconditionally. I miss him every single day alongside the rest of the world and all the Kobe supporters around the world," Irving said in the video.

Watch out the full video here:

I asked Kyrie Irving about the impact of his friend and mentor, the late and great, Kobe Bryant.



“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I had that type of mentorship and relationship with him where I was able to ask him almost anything… He was just easy to… pic.twitter.com/cpTFfgHM34

— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) June 3, 2024