Trae Young, Gianna Bryant's Favorite Player, Has Career Night While Wearing No. 8

Advertisement

Damn.

I can only imagine how hard it was for any NBA player to get out on the court today, but especially a 21-year-old who worked out with Kobe and was his daughter's favorite player. But Trae went out on the court tonight wearing No. 8 and — after taking the opening tip and getting an eight-second violation — went out and had one of the best nights of his career.

Young finished the game with 45 points on 13-24 FG and 14 assists. Obviously anything that happened on the court tonight in any game didn't really matter, but Trae had some sort of supernatural force helping him out there tonight.

Trae was Gianna Bryant's favorite player.

And I suppose that makes sense, given Trae's ability to launch from anywhere and his determination to get his shot no matter how many guys are guarding him. The now-heartbreaking clip of Kobe talking to his daughter while watching a game courtside was during the Hawks-Nets game in Brooklyn just before Christmas.

Advertisement

There's nothing that could make today better for anybody, but it's pretty cool to see what Trae was able to do tonight. I know Kobe and Gianna were watching.

Rest in peace to Kobe and GiGi and may the Lord place His hands upon their family.