"I was lucky that I did have a relationship with my idol" - Former WNBA center Liz Cambage says Kobe Bryant is her GOAT
Liz Cambage is a name that resonates with every girl in the world of women's basketball. Towering at 6'8," Cambage has dominated the court with her size and athleticism. However, Liz admitted that if she was given a chance, she would have opted to play guard like Kobe Bryant, who was also her GOAT of choice.
"For me, personally, my GOAT is Kobe," Cambage told Serge Ibaka on How Hungry Are You? "He's the one that really made me fall in love with the game. I wanted to be a guard because of him. Like, I wanted to be Kobe. Everyone was like, 'You need to watch Shaq. You need to watch Shaq and Kobe so you can learn to be Shaq.' [But] I never wanted to be a post player when I was a teenager."
Bryant left his mark on Liz
From a young age, Cambage was captivated by the elegance and finesse of Bryant's playing style. His ability to score from almost anywhere on the court and his relentless work ethic inspired the four-time WNBA All-Star to push beyond the traditional expectations of her position.
Off the court, "Black Mamba" also profoundly impacted Cambage. Liz has carved her own path in the WNBA, and she acknowledges that her journey has been significantly shaped by the lessons and inspiration she drew from Kobe.
"I was lucky that I did have a relationship with my idol. I met him a year ago when he came to our first game of the season in the WNBA in Vegas. I am lucky that from then on, I got to develop a very special relationship," Cambage told FIBA shortly after Bryant's death.
"I was actually on court with him two weeks before his death, and I am so lucky that I got to learn from my legend, from my idol. Someone who cared about me and cared about the women's game and the evolution of the game," she added.
Kobe's legacy extends to the WNBA
Cambage's undying Kobe fandom is a testament to the indelible mark the late NBA legend left on the WNBA. His influence on the game transcended genders and inspired countless female athletes to pursue their dreams in basketball.
In fact, Bryant actively supported women's basketball when he was still alive and was hands-on in honing the skills of his late daughter, Gianna. That said, Kobe is also acknowledged for his role in elevating women's basketball.
