Nike Recruits Kobe Bryant to Give Gonzaga and Oregon Pep Talks Before Final Four
Two of Nike‘s Final Four–bound men’s basketball teams got a surprise pep talk Wednesday from one of the game’s all-time greatest players.
According to ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell, former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made a stop in Arizona to rally the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Oregon Ducks ahead of their semifinal matchups on Saturday. The specifics of Bryant’s speeches are unclear, but it’s safe to say the five-time NBA champion had some valuable insight for the teams.
Nike had @kobebryant give a pep talk to the Gonzaga and Oregon teams last night in Arizona.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 30, 2017
The Bulldogs’ standout center Przemysław “Przemek” Karnowski shared a photo with Bryant, who retired from the NBA last year.
Mamba Mentality 🐍 pic.twitter.com/IEip5B4PQX
— Przemek Karnowski (@PKarnowski) March 30, 2017
Final Four action tips off Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET as the Bulldogs take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. That will be followed by the Ducks versus the North Carolina Tar Heels at 8:49 p.m. ET, meaning there’s a chance that Gonzaga and Oregon could ultimately end up facing off for the championship come Monday.
Watch on FN
Both teams took to Twitter Wednesday to share images of their arrivals in Phoenix, where the Final Four games will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
We comin' for ya Phoenix! #FinalFour #UnitedWeZag pic.twitter.com/axHwU3qndL
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) March 29, 2017
We have arrived. Final Four in Phoenix. Always us. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/XydbTqDzHO
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) March 30, 2017
Want more?
Nike, Under Armour to Battle It Out in Final Four
March Madness: Shop the Best Sneakers From the NCAA Elite Eight Games
March Madness: Shop the Best Sneakers From the NCAA Sweet 16 Games
