Kobe Bryant, who is thought of as one of the best basket guards of all time, was not overly shocked by anything that happened on the basketball court. That is, until he saw what Kat Tan, aka the one-armed Mamba, did at one of his events in the Philippines in 2016.
The Origins of the One-Armed Mamba
Tan’s left arm had to be amputated by the attending medics after she was involved in a serious roller coaster accident at a school carnival when she was ten years old. The tragedy occurred in 1996, the year Bryant was selected by the NBA in the draft. Tan showed a moderate interest in basketball when she was in the hospital, watching games with her father most of the time. It was hardly shocking that she spent many days watching solely Los Angeles Lakers games on television, given the team’s devoted worldwide fan base.
Tan became extremely admiring of Bryant’s eighteen-year-old physical skills after being released from the hospital. Tan was struck by Bryant’s decision to forgo college and seek a career in the NBA in addition to his youthful zeal. Tan then adopted the mamba mindset before it was widely acknowledged. Despite her difficulties, Tan took part in the recruiting process for the basketball team at her school. She didn’t give up on her goal after the first setback, and the next year she managed to get a spot on the squad.
When Kat Tan finally met Kobe BryantBryant and Tan have encountered one another on three distinct occasions. In 1998, they encountered one another by coincidence while attending a hotel function. Although she was able to take a photo with Bryant, she was too enthralled to respond to any of his inquiries. Tan was well-prepared for their 2011 follow-up meeting, having framed the news clipping from their initial encounter. Even more so, upon seeing Tan after nearly 15 years, Bryant was inspired:
“Therefore, encountering Kat-Kat once more today, after all these years apart, motivates me to exert further effort. “Due to the fact that I am certain she finds inspiration in my actions,” Bryant explained.Their final and most memorable encounter occurred in 2016, a few months following Bryant’s retirement.Bryant personally selected Tan to make a three-point attempt from the top of the key during his twenty-four-player-only, elite camp. If it entered, every child was excused from performing sprints. Bryant added the variation that if it missed, all participants except herself would be required to run. Tan swished the shot after a few dribbles with Bryant positioned at the base of the rim. It was the perfect conclusion to one of the most improbable alliances in basketball history.