• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Kobe Bryant snubbed Michael Jordan when choosing his favourite-ever basketball player who never featured in the NBA

Home> NBA

Updated 10:34 14 Jan 2025 GMTPublished 10:17 14 Jan 2025 GMT

Kobe Bryant snubbed Michael Jordan when choosing his favourite-ever basketball player who never featured in the NBA

The Lakers icon grew up idolising a non-NBA great

Ryan Baldi

Ryan Baldi

Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant never hid the fact that Michael Jordan was the one NBA superstar he looked up to more than any other.

The Los Angeles Lakers icon drew stylistic comparisons to Jordan almost from the moment he entered the NBA as a teenager and he consistently demonstrated a similar work ethic and unyielding drive towards success as the Chicago Bulls legend, powering him to five championships and one Most Valuable Player award.

Jordan was something of a mentor to a the Lakers No.8 as a youngster and the pair remained close up until Bryant's death in 2020.

Advert

"I grew up watching Michael on TV, and now you’ve got a chance to go face-to-face with him," Bryant said of playing against his NBA hero. "You get a chance to really see, by touch and feel, the strength, speed, quickness and it was fun to be out there."

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan played against each other several times during this careers. (Image: Getty)
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan played against each other several times during this careers. (Image: Getty)

But there was one player from outside the NBA whom Bryant might even have held in higher regard than Jordan.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bryant spent much of his youth living in Italy where his father, Joe Bryant, played basketball professionally.

Advert

And it was one of his dad's opponents who caught young Kobe's eye.

"His dad played in Italy," said Oscar Schmidt. "He grew up watching me beat his dad every year. He said to his father that he likes me. Joe said, 'No, no. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan.'

"(He was like), 'No, no, no, you lose to Oscar every year. I will continue with Oscar.'"

Schmidt was a Brazilian forward who was actually drafted into the NBA the same year as Jordan when the New Jersey Nets selected him with the 131st pick in 1984.

Advert

But he never played in the league and instead carved out a stellar career in his homeland and in Europe, as well as on the international stage. He was the highest scorer in the Italian top division seven times and ten times in Brazil, where he also won three championships. The website hoopshype.com ranked Schmidt the third-best player never to play in the NBA.

"The first time I actually talked to him was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics," Schmidt said. "I was emotional. He was emotional. It was great to see him as a grown-up man."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: NBA, Basketball, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan

Ryan Baldi
Ryan Baldi

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • 16 hours ago

    LeBron James 'seriously considered' accepting shock contract as LA Lakers future thrown into fresh doubt

    LeBron James has been linked with a move away from the Los Angeles Lakers.

    NBA
  • a day ago

    Michael Jordan still hates NBA franchise 'to this day' 22 years after retirement

    Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 2003 but the six-time NBA champion still hates one franchise he came up against.

    NBA
  • a day ago

    LeBron James settled the NBA vs NFL debate by naming the hardest sport to learn as a pro

    LeBron James explained the key differences between basketball and American football.

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    LeBron James reveals he has just one strict rule for son Bronny when they play together for LA Lakers

    The father-son pair have become the first to be in the NBA at the same time.

    NBA
  • Michael Jordan's close friend was punched by his security guard for making controversial Kobe Bryant comment
  • NBA champion slams LeBron James over ring culture comment that would have 'Kobe Bryant rolling in his grave'
  • Michael Jordan once 'insulted' Kobe Bryant with five-word comment after NBA All-Star game
  • Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant agreed on toughest NBA opponent who could beat them 1-on-1 with no questions asked