By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Kobe Bryant became so impressed with Real Madrid forward Gabriel Deck when he watched him performing with Argentina in the 2019 FIBA World Cup that he thought he may be a good fit for the Los Angeles Lakers.
At least that’s what Argentina great Manu Ginobili told Deck.
While being interviewed by Nicolas Laprivottla (Deck’s teammate on Real Madrid and the Argentinian national team) Hola Que Tal Como Estas podcast, Ginobili revealed that Bryant became nothing less than enamored with Deck’s game during the World Cup.
“Kobe didn’t know all the names but he was wondering,” Ginobili said. “Kobe was completely passionate about basketball, a student of the game. He asked me and I answered about the players. H fell in love with Tortuga (Gabriel Deck’s nickname). I told Tortuga after that he had a fan in Kobe and that he wanted to take him to the Lakers. He asked me and we commented on the decisions of the coach, I told him about the characteristics of those he didn’t know. He was interested but came a time when I was nervous and didn’t want to talk anymore.”
“He even looked at me strangely a couple of times because he couldn’t believe what he was doing. He was a sports fanatic,” Ginobili added.
Deck averaged 13.9 points and 3.1 rebounds to help Argentina win the silver medal in the World Cup.
Photo: FIBA Basketball