Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has never been afraid to tout his love and admiration for Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Boston, especially after the events of this past season, has learned to accept that.
Tatum started wearing a sweatband around his forearm with the No. 0 on it back in 2020, honoring Bryant following his death. It’s something he continues to this day, even wearing a purple and gold option with No. 8 whenever he plays against the Lakers. He’s also started wearing a warm-up shirt that resembles the one Bryant infamously wore during his pre-draft workout with the Celtics.
Tatum mirrors his idol in many ways and will continue to do so when he takes the court for Team USA in the Paris Olympics.
“It’s nothing short of an honor to wear No. 10,” Tatum said Tuesday, per NBC Sports Boston. “Anybody that remotely knows me knows how much influence that he had on me as a kid. It inspired me to reach my goals, so it’s definitely something I don’t take for granted or take lightly”
Bryant famously wore No. 10 during his two Olympic appearances in 2008 and 2012, both of which ended with a Gold medal. Tatum also wore No. 10 during his previous stint with Team USA in 2020 — where he won Gold.
It remains to be seen if he can follow in Bryant’s footsteps and grab another Gold medal, but if the Team USA roster is any indication, he should be alright.
