Jan. 26 marked two years since basketball legend Kobe Bryant tragically died in a helicopter accident. 

Bryant played 20 seasons in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers. Over his 20-year career, he was a five-time NBA champion, an 18-time NBA All-Star and he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. His legacy and work ethic has inspired people around the world, including members of American River College’s men’s basketball team.

Mark Giorgi, the head coach of ARC’s men’s basketball team, says Bryant had a huge impact on basketball.

“He was really the first guy to come out of high school and actually was a superstar,” Giorgi said.

ARC guard Tyree Mitchell says that Bryant influenced him to start playing basketball at a young age. Mitchell added that Bryant’s determination and commitment to basketball influenced him to want to work harder than others.

“I try to stay in the gym after hours when people aren’t in the gym, sleeping or things like that,” Mitchell said.

Giorgi added that the coaching staff teaches the team about Bryant’s amazing footwork, attention to detail and work ethic.

“They all want to be like Kobe and go to the NBA, but I don’t think they understood how hard he really worked for what he wanted,” Giorgi said.

“The Mamba Mentality” is what Bryant called his work ethic. Bryant used this work ethic to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 

ARC forward David O’Looney says Bryant’s work ethic was through the roof.

“One thing that stood out to me was he was always the first one in the gym and the last one out,” O’Looney said.

O’Looney added that Bryant was a leader that held everyone accountable.

“He showed me that if you want to reach those heights you have to have that accountability day in and day out,” O’Looney said.