Naomi Osaka says she wears Kobe Bryant jerseys after matches ‘to keep his spirit alive’

After donning a Kobe Bryant jersey during her press conference after a first round win at the US Open, Naomi Osaka opened up about her connection with the Black Mamba.

Five years ago, Naomi Osaka, who was already a young sensation, was really thrust into the mainstream when Kobe Bryant attended her match at the US Open. It was more than just a random experience for Osaka, though, as she would later see Bryant become a mentor to her as well.

Much more recently, Osaka showed her connection with Bryant again on Tuesday when she donned a Kobe jersey during her post-match presser after her opening round win in the US Open. She revealed the decision to wear the jerseys was to help carry on Kobe’s legacy.

“I think for me,” Osaka said, “I always wear Kobe jerseys after matches and practices I feel like I can kind of keep his spirit with me.”

Osaka also reminisced on Kobe, as well as Colin Kaepernick, attending her match back in 2019 which, ironically, came on the same court that she earned a victory on Tuesday.

“I played on the same court today,” Osaka said. “Louis Armstrong (Stadium) was the same court he came and watched my match. I honestly remember being a little bit in disbelief he was coming specifically to watch my match. Just to feel that support was unreal.”

It’s moments like this that really show how much Kobe’s influence spread beyond the basketball landscape. We often talk about people carrying on his legacy on the basketball court or as a Laker with Mamba Mentality.

However, something like this just shows again how he impacted so many athletes and people beyond the basketball landscape. It’s a silver lining to the awful situation as it means his legacy will carry through all sorts of people worldwide.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.