Jayson Tatum has a very special connection with Kobe Bryant. Therefore, he chose to get a tattoo to forever pay tribute to the late Los Angeles Lakers legend.

After Kobe Bryant’s sudden death, many athletes, especially basketball players, paid tribute to the late Lakers legend with interesting tattoos.

Young star Jayson Tatum just joined this trend when he showed off his latest tattoo during a practice session before the 2021-22 season.

The Boston Celtics striker has a stylized tattoo of the shirt number 24, which is also an image of a Black Mamba snake. Both are symbols that have been associated with Kobe Bryant during his NBA career, becoming immortal legacies.

Less than a month after returning from Tokyo with the Olympic gold medal, Jayson Tatum has returned to training to prepare for the 2021-22 NBA season (expected to start in mid-October).

In the US national team shirt, Tatum wore number 10, which was also Kobe Bryant’s old shirt number when he won gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

The number 24 stylized as a snake is tattooed on the inside of Jayson Tatum’s left knee

“This is the first Olympics since Kobe passed away, so it is extremely special and has great meaning,” Jayson Tatum once shared before leaving to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.

When he was young, Tatum considered Kobe Bryant to be the hero in his life. When he grew up and started practicing basketball, he watched “Black Mamba” is an idol.

AComing to the NBA and playing for the Boston Celtics, Tatum became one of Bryant’s students, regularly practicing with “teacher Kobe” during the summers.

“It’s a very special connection,” Jayson Tatum said about his relationship with Kobe Bryant.

“His image in me has always grown stronger over the years, starting when I was very young. This shirt (shirt number 10) is an honor and also a great responsibility. I will have to try my best not to disappoint everyone.”