Basketball hoops are adhered to opposite walls of a small playground that is tucked away in a quiet area of the charming Italian city of Reggio Emilia. The spire of a small local church protrudes above the top of the nearby houses, the playing surface is worn, and bicycles are parked around its perimeter.
It is initially modest despite its beauty, and it is definitely not associated with the glitzy NBA world.
However, Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players in history, used to call this little playground in a picturesque area of Italy his second home.
After leaving the Houston Rockets in 1983, Bryant’s father, Joe, made the decision to pursue his playing career in Europe, so Bryant spent a large portion of his early years in Italy.
Bryant was put into a new culture, language, and way of life when he was just six years old. Nevertheless, he swiftly adapted to this new world and finally fell in love with it.
Following his father to several teams throughout the nation, Bryant met friend and former player Marco Ferraroni during the family’s final stay in Italy, Reggio Emilia.
Ferraroni recalls playing with Kobe on that little court next to the church for “eternal afternoons” even when there was no formal team practice. During the day, the local priest allowed them access.
“We were there for hours and hours. “Kobe was always there, which is one of my recollections of him,” Ferraroni recalled.
“I recall that Kobe was always up for a game of basketball, even if it was just 1v1 or a three-point shootout, and he would play all afternoon.” For basketball, he was always there.
Ferraroni remembers Bryant as a young player who played similarly to his father, concentrating on making three-pointers, which was “unusual” for Italian players of his era.
Despite the fact that the future NBA legend was physically smaller than most of his rivals, Ferraroni was most impressed by the American’s mindset, which would go on to become renowned worldwide.
We played all afternoon, and since I was a year older than Kobe and he did not want to go after losing the last game, it was really tough to leave.
Giada Maslovaric, a close friend from his early years, recalls his first day at his new school. She was assigned to watch him, and the two quickly began interacting in their free time.
Cycling through the city’s cobblestone streets, enjoying its renowned ice cream, and daydreaming about the future would take up hours.
Maslovaric preferred to concentrate on her academic studies and never showed any interest in sports, much less basketball. Despite having different priorities, Maslovaric believes that the two became close friends because they had a similar drive and ambition.
Kobe would be shown to be correct. The young player quickly made a name for himself after returning to the United States from Italy. In 1996, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and became the first guard ever selected by the Charlotte Hornets out of high school.
From a distance, Maslovaric observed her friend’s transformation into a world-renowned figure, a world champion, a husband, and a father.
