February 22 is George Washington’s

I TURNED TO MY ASSISTANT COACHES, AFTER 5 MINUTES OF WATCHING HIM PLAY, AND I SAID, ‘THIS KID’S A PRO’

GREGG DOWNER

THERE WERE NO SHORTCUTS. DOUG YOUNG

KOBE BRYANT 1978-2020 FOREVER AN ACE Sports Editors: Phillip Gao ’22, Kyle Patlove ’20, and Spencer Rosenbaum ’22

DEDICATION TO SUCCESS

As a high school coach, the best you can hope for is continuous maximum efort from your players, regardless of circumstance. Coach Gregg Downer, in just his third season at the helm of the Aces Basketball squad, learned very quickly that Kobe Bryant would become an instant powerhouse to help set that example for the team. Bryant, as just a zealous eighth grader, showed incredible dexterity and potential during a workout that initially caught the coach’s eye, prompting Downer to turn to his assistants with a look of incredulity. Aware of the abilities of Bryant’s father, a 6’9 former forward with stints in both the NBA and overseas leagues, it was easy to see why Bryant was so comfortable on the basketball court. Yet, his genetics were undoubtably trumped by unrelenting efort and a dedication to bettering his game. Downer recalls Bryant fnding any idle time he could throughout the day to put up shots and refne skills–a level of commitment that would remain consistent far beyond his high school years. In a visit back to LM years after his graduation–as a then-seasoned veteran in the NBA–Downer recounts an afternoon in which he observed Bryant working on his foater, shooting basketballs by the hundreds in an attempt to perfect form on the awkward release of the shot. When asked why he relentlessly tried for the seemingly unavailing shot, Bryant responded, “Dikembe Mutombo will never block my shot again.” Mutombo is 7’2 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest shot blocker that has ever lived. Bryant looked to change that. To harness this level of commitment and focus on a single goal, one of such specialized and minuscule purpose in proportion to the game of basketball and life itself, speaks to Bryant’s unparalleled character, as a man, ball player, and father. As a friend and a teammate to Kobe Bryant during his time here at LM, Doug Young too remembers Bryant displaying a downright obsession to minutiae and an attention to detail unmatched by his peers. In the words of Young himself, to Bryant, “there were no shortcuts.” In a visit back to LM early in his NBA career, Young recounts Bryant examining a video of the Phoenix Suns–at that point a dominant force in the NBA–and quizzing the onlookers as to why shooting at the backboard would provide an advantage against the high-octane Suns. Naturally, nobody could come up with a solution, however, the answer remained quite apparent to Bryant. Shooting the ball at the backboard and resulting in a miss would slow down the fastbreak as compared to a shot that just missed after hitting the rim, a fact not easily discernible to most professional basketball players let alone the average fan. As one would expect, the relationship between Young and Bryant evolved as Bryant transitioned from a budding high school star to a multi-million dollar public fgure. However, that never changed the dynamic and comfort of their relationship. Young recounts a specifc memory that particularly resonates with him: a genuine act of kindness. When Bryant was approached about contributing a portion of money for the soon-to-be-constructed gym in the new building, he lacked any bit of hesitation and simply asked “how much?” as he pulled out his checkbook. Despite the fame, fortune and notoriety he obtained as a generational talent in the NBA, Bryant continued to visit and support the community that nurtured his talent and encouraged his growth. He remained faithful to his roots, although he certainly didn’t have to, and showed the world that hard work and selfessness can inspire millions to be better. NO SHORTCUTS