Wizards rookie Kelly Oubre wants to emulate Kobe Bryant's mindset

By foxsports
Published

So many young players look up to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. He's their Michael Jordan. 

Washington Wizards rookie swingman Kelly Oubre is no exception. According to CSN Mid-Atlantic's J. Michael, Oubre said he wants to emulate the Laker great's mindset as soon as possible:

Bryant's mental toughness is borderline insane. Throughout his career, he's played through serious injuries, off-court legal issues and physical sicknesses that would keep a normal human being in bed.

His mindset was something he gained through his own life experiences. Can Oubre, a 19-year-old, adopt them right away? Probably not, but it's good to see him show a little self-awareness. 

(h/t: CSN Mid-Atlantic)

The Wizards traded with the Atlanta Hawks to get Oubre, a 6-7 small forward who was taken 15th overall. Despite the rookie's modest one season at Kansas (9.3 points), he has been super-confident since Day One and doesn't hesitate to remind everyone -- often. Oubre can relate to Bryant, a L.A. Lakers great noted for his brashness. "I saw Kobe say that. It's just about staying even-keeled," Oubre, 19, said during the interview on the Wizards' practice court at Verizon Center. "He's a guy that it's worked for him so I'm going to try to take that same mentality."