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Kobe Bryant's legacy lives on through Sabrina Ionescu
Kobe Bryant smiled from above Wednesday night.
His protege, the woman he anointed the GOAT just 10 days before his death, did the most Kobe thing possible in a pressure-cooker situation.
Despite missing four shots and committing two turnovers in the fourth quarter, Sabrina Ionescu never doubted her ability to come through in the clutch. And so she did, calling "game" and making arguably the most iconic game-winner in WNBA history — much like Bryant did countless times throughout his NBA career.
And her postgame comments were just as Kobe-esque.
"I trusted my preparation," Ionescu said of her mentality before taking the shot. "I'm built for this moment. I missed one [earlier in the fourth] that could have sealed the game. I just got an open look and I trusted that I can make it."
There's a reason Ionescu still uses an image of Bryant and his late daughter Gianna as her X profile picture. During her collegiate career in Oregon, she had developed a close bond with Bryant and Gianna, who routinely visited her games and were her biggest cheerleaders.
During her powerful speech at their memorial ceremony, Ionescu revealed that, as a gym rat herself, she could relate to Bryant's work ethic and that their relentless pursuit of excellence brought them closer. The Lakers legend even imparted some of his moves, such as the step-back shot, and helped Ionescu improve the arc on her jump shot.
"He was giving me the blueprint," Ionescu said of Bryant.
It felt like all those tireless hours of work put in by Ionescu paid off on Wednesday night. And it very much felt like Bryant's legacy lives on through the special talent that is Ionescu.
Even her peers in the NBA saluted her for making the shot heard around the world.
Call game them @sabrina_i20 https://t.co/Sa904L3ipU
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) October 17, 2024
Cold blooded killer @sabrina_i20
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 17, 2024
What a shot
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) October 17, 2024
More must-reads:
- Watch: Sabrina Ionescu's deep, last-second three-pointer helps Liberty take Game 3
- Sabrina Ionescu's buzzer-beater joins historic group of WNBA Finals game-winners
- The 'MLB playoff home run leaders' quiz
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