If you were one of the nation’s top young shooting guards in 2007, you likely got an invite to the Kobe Bryant Nike Skills Academy. The camp put the best amateur two guards in America through a series of workouts, and of course, they got the opportunity to talk to the best shooting guard on earth at the time.
It’s about as massive of an honor as you could get considering the time and those who were in attendance. Learning how to play shooting guard at a camp run by Nike and Kobe Freakin’ Bryant was a huge deal, and thanks to Kevin Ding, we got to see the roster for the camp before the Lakers officially retired Bryant’s numbers.
Check out this (crumpled) roster I found from 2007 and the first Nike Kobe Skills Academy—and how many of those kids, including little-hyped @StephenCurry30, are now deep into their NBA careers. #Ko8be24 pic.twitter.com/7L4M3i0KrW
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) December 18, 2017
At a quick glance, this list is absolutely insane. A number of future pros made the list, whether they be high schoolers who became stars like Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan; high schoolers who have had solid careers like Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, and Lance Stephenson; high schoolers who spent some time in the league like Xavier Henry and Malcolm Lee; or college players who got to the NBA.
How important was this opportunity to these then-kids? Here’s a video from the camp that shows a handful of young ballers talking about getting the chance to prove themselves while learning how to play the two guard from Bryant.
Bryant also gave some instruction to the players. For example, as the New York Times indicates, the Lakers’ star spoke to some sophomore from Davidson named Stephen Curry and told him “Don’t force things. Just take what the defense gives you.” Apparently, the Academy made an impression on Curry, as he was tweeting about it three years later.
Lot of work since the kobe skills academy lol thanksRT @AlanStein: @StephenCurry30 Good luck man. I am so proud of you. Keep representin'!!!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 20, 2010
He wasn’t the only one who really enjoyed his time at the camp — Thompson told Sports Illustrated that while he couldn’t remember any specific advice he might have received from Bryant, he came away from the camp feeling better about his game.
Maybe if he and Curry ever cross paths, the two can discuss their experiences learning from Bryant at his skills academy.
