‘The Last Mamba’: Kobe Bryant’s final protégé

Credit: Instagram via Amalia Holguin, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The late great Kobe Bryant left an oversized impact on basketball. Not only did Bryant win five titles on the court with the Los Angeles Lakers, but off the floor, Bryant was a major champion and advocate for women’s basketball, and would surely have been proud to witness the surge in popularity that women’s hoops has undergone since his tragic passing.

However, Bryant’s impact is still in the women’s game. Until the debut of her own signature shoe later this year, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will play exclusively in Bryant’s signature line, and as relevant as his shoes are, the “Black Mamba’s” impact is even larger than that.

Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi has retired from the game, but Bryant dubbed her personally the “White Mamba,” and he gave Jewell Lloyd the “Gold Mamba” moniker, but one last lethal competitor is coming down the line.

When she was just nine years old, Bryant discovered Amalia Holguin during a game and recognized her talent immediately, taking it upon himself to personally coach and mentor her alongside his daughter, the late Gianna Bryant.

Now, Holguin can’t even step into a gym without being called the “Last Mamba” or the “Kobe Girl,” and has lived up to the scrutiny that comes with a name like that. Not only did Holguin score 61 points on her senior night, but she led her school, Sage Hills, to a massive upset win over powerhouse Sierra Canyon in the CIF State regional semifinals.

Now, she’s committed to Texas, where she’ll team up with incumbent star Madison Booker in the hopes of leading Texas to the national championship. With the work ethic that Bryant instilled in her, don’t be surprised if “The Last Mamba” is on a WNBA court one day.

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