Having been mentored by Kobe Bryant early in his career and now assuming the Lakers’ franchise player role, Anthony Davis has completed a full circle, providing him with a unique perspective as the unveiling of Kobe’s statue approaches on Thursday.

Many of Davis’ cherished memories of Kobe Bryant can be traced back to their time together on Team USA during the 2012 London Olympics. Despite not having played a single NBA game at that point, Davis was the youngest and least experienced player on the star-studded team, and Bryant immediately took him under his wing.

Their bond deepened over the years, with Davis and Bryant staying in touch during the former’s formative seasons in the league. Even after Bryant’s retirement, Davis continued to seek his mentor’s guidance and trained with him during the summers. The Black Mamba was so impressed with Davis’ progress during these training sessions that he recommended to his best friend and current Lakers general manager, Rоb Pelinka, that the talented big man be acquired for the purple and gold.

Now, 12 years after Bryant first mentored him, Davis reflects on the significance of the statue unveiling on February 8th, following the Lakers’ win over the Hornets.

“It’s honestly going to meаn a lot,” AD expressed. He meant a lot to me. He was my big brother and mentor. We started our journey together in the Olympics, with him guiding me every step of the way and teaching me about the game and life. Witnessing the unveiling and reliving those memories will be a powerful moment. Emotions will run high for me. Having his statue outside will be a remarkable thing.”

For Davis, being mentored by Bryant before even playing his first NBA game and now carrying the torch as the Lakers’ franchise player represents a full-circle moment. What adds to the significance is that Davis has already achieved the goal of winning a championship for the Lakers—just as Bryant predicted they would.

Bryant’s unwavering belief and confidence in Davis laid the foundation for their evolving relationship. Davis shared another memorable story from Monday when he revealed that he once asked Bryant to send him a list of goals he believed Davis could accomplish on the court.

“There was a time when he would send messages to guys like ‘MVP this year’ or ‘Defensive Player of the Year this year,'” Davis recalled. “I remember one year he didn’t text me, and I was like, ‘What the Һell?’ So I texted him, ‘What about me?’ and he gave me a list of things. Now, playing for the Lakers, the organization where he spent 20 years…there’s no better feeling,” Davis added.

Davis didn’t disclоse the exact contents of the list or whether he achieved those goals, but the fact that he wears the purple and gold jersey every night, with the opportunity to carry on his mentor’s legacy, holds immense significance in his career.

Only time will tell where Davis will ultimately stand among the great Lakers, but for now, the superstar continues to demonstrate why Kobe had an unwavering belief in him and why he took him under his wing.

And today, Anthony Davis has set a record by playing 52 minutes on the court, becoming the player to achieve this feat immediately after Kobe Bryant. Previously, Kobe Bryant had scored 34 points in a 2OT win over Memphis, and Anthony Davis closely followed with 32 points.