Students at Shenyang Sport University pose for a group picture with a portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of his final NBA game in 2016. Photo: Xinhua Students at Shenyang Sport University pose for a group picture with a portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of his final NBA game in 2016. Photo: Xinhua
Students at Shenyang Sport University pose for a group picture with a portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of his final NBA game in 2016. Photo: Xinhua
Jonathan White
Opinion

Opinion

Jonathan White

China’s love for Kobe Bryant shows other sports how to follow in his footsteps

  • Star only grew in popularity after retirement and despite commercial success showed genuine interest in the country
  • Tributes paid by Chinese fans and former Los Angeles Lakers teammates on social media show how beloved NBA champion was

Jonathan White
Jonathan White

Updated: 10:19pm, 28 Jan, 2020

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Students at Shenyang Sport University pose for a group picture with a portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of his final NBA game in 2016. Photo: Xinhua Students at Shenyang Sport University pose for a group picture with a portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of his final NBA game in 2016. Photo: Xinhua
Students at Shenyang Sport University pose for a group picture with a portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of his final NBA game in 2016. Photo: Xinhua
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Jonathan White

Jonathan White

Jonathan White joined the Post in 2017 after a decade reporting on sport from China. He originally moved to Beijing to coach football in 2007 and later spent two years in Shanghai.