LA Lakers’ Bryant proves not selfish

Basketball great Kobe Bryant has a reputation among some sports commentators these days of being a very selfish guy.

Those sports critics, who by nature are prone to hyperbole, accuse the Los Angeles Lakers superstar of “hogging the ball,” shooting too much and calling so much attention to himself that the Lakers can’t attract other quality players even as his team struggles.

Despite the team’s record and Bryant’s recent shooting problems, he managed this month to pass Michael Jordan to become the third all-time scorer in the National Basketball Association.

And although Bryant’s charity work off the field — in this country and internationally — should dispel any notion of selfishness, the basketball player did something else this month that should put that whole idea of his being overly self-centered to rest.

Just ask 16-year-old Banks Graham of Fort Worth and his fellow students at Polytechnic High School.

Last week, when the students were summoned to the school auditorium for some kind of “pep rally,” they didn’t realize they would be hearing from the LA Lakers’ star who had special message for Banks, a sophomore with a life-threatening illness.

“What’s up Poly High,” came the greeting from Bryant, appearing on a large screen. “I’ve got a very special message for my man Banks. … I can’t wait to have you in January at one of our practices, man. … I look forward to meeting you and making your wish come true.”

Banks, who has sickle cell anemia, was invited by Bryant (his favorite player) to come coach the Lakers in January during practice and to attend the Washington Wizards-Lakers game.

The event was arranged through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and grantor Corrine Revsbeck, who met Banks several months ago and realized that he is a “very kind, strong and grateful young man who loves sports, especially basketball.”

But the wish would not have happened without Bryant’s unselfish cooperation.

This story was originally published December 23, 2014 at 5:35 PM with the headline "LA Lakers’ Bryant proves not selfish."