It’s incredible how some partnerships come together. Sometimes it’s random chance. Other times it’s under extraordinary circumstances. Author Jason Reynolds almost partnered with Kobe Bryant once, which would certainly have fallen in the extraordinary category.
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The famed YA writer was randomly called by the NBA legend on his cell phone one evening. Why did Kobe make that call? The story is just as intriguing as the narratives seen in Reynolds’ books.
Back in 2020, Reynolds gave an interview to Andscape one month after Kobe and his daughter Gianna’s tragic passing. In the chat, he revealed that the five-time NBA Champion called him in 2018.
“Kobe, forgive me but I have to ask, why are you on my phone?” he recalled asking the basketball great. The Mamba answered, honest and direct as always.
“’Cool. So here’s the thing. I’m calling because, well, let me be honest. I hadn’t heard of your work or anything, but my daughter, GiGi, came home going on and on about your book, Ghost. And so, I wanted to first and foremost thank you for that’,” Reynolds quoted Bryant’s words. The author admitted that he was touched by the basketball legend, especially after what he said next.
“He goes on to tell me that he’s read the whole series, and that it struck him because he’s been using stories of his own to help GiGi understand basketball, and life, for years,” stated Reynolds.
As if Kobe telling him that his books moved him wasn’t enough, Reynolds also received an incredible career offer.
“He asks me to be involved in the publishing company he’s starting as part of his Granity Studios, where all the books would use sports and magic to do what he’s been doing for his daughter, for other young athletes around the world,” narrated Reynolds.
Unfortunately, Reynolds had to turn down the gig due to other commitments. But he was still into the idea.
Reynolds didn’t get to work with Kobe, but they still forged a relationship. “For the next two years, Kobe generously mentions my name in many of the interviews about his publishing company and the books he and his collaborators are making,” the author told Anscape.
It’s touching to see that Kobe had an affinity for telling stories, and how GiGi opened him up to a new avenue. It clearly stuck with the Mamba. After his call with Reynolds, Kobe continued to tell stories on various media and platforms.
Kobe went on to win an Oscar for Dear Basketball
Kobe accomplished everything an athlete could in the NBA. But the Mamba once told the media that winning an Oscar meant more to him.
“I feel better than winning a championship, to be honest with you. I swear I do,” stated Bryant to ESPN after winning the Academy Award for his animated short film, Dear Basketball. The film was based on Bryant’s Player’s Tribune letter when he announced his retirement.
The Oscar was yet another triumph in Kobe’s life. Perhaps his conversation with Reynolds opened him up to the storytelling capabilities he had hidden inside him.
Or perhaps it was just another attribute of his that had remained hidden, masked by his competitive spirit. Either way, Bryant is still missed to this day.
