Former UCLA star Lonzo Ball will head into the 2017 NBA Draft on Thursday night with his life about to drastically change. The 19-year-old point guard is expected to be one of the first names called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver at the podium with the Los Angeles Lakers likely to take the talented floor general with the second overall pick.
As Ball prepares for life as an NBA player, the draft prospect spoke with reporter Tania Ganguli of the L.A. Times about a number of different topics. One of those topics was Kobe Bryant and what Ball would ask the Lakers legend if he had the chance to get some advice from the retired superstar:
“What was the hardest thing you had to deal with your first year?” Ball finally says. “I’d ask him that. That’s what I would ask him.”
Since retiring from the NBA back in April of 2016, Bryant has become a source of knowledge and wisdom for players around the league looking for guidance on how to take their game to the next level. Kobe was already helping players that came asking for advice from the future Hall of Famer, but now he’s got more of an open-door policy for anyone brave enough to ask.
Among the players that have asked for guidance or to workout with Kobe include Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green, Isaiah Thomas, Devin Booker, Gordon Hayward, Julius Randle, and Paul George to name a few. Brandon Ingram may also be added to the list soon with the Lakers brass urging the budding star to reach out to Bryant this summer to help with aspects of his game.
Lonzo, if he is indeed drafted by the Lakers, will certainly get his opportunity to speak with Bryant. Magic Johnson has insisted that he wants Kobe involved with the organization to help develop these young players and the 38-year-old seems to be all for it.