Key Highlights
- Melissa Rohlin reflects on her career transformation after interviewing Kobe Bryant in 2013.
- Bryant’s kindness and openness during the interview helped launch Rohlin’s journalism career.
- The article highlights Bryant’s impact beyond basketball, touching millions around the world with his “Mamba Mentality.”
- Rohlin discusses the duality of Bryant as both a sports icon and public figure with controversial past actions.
From No-Name Reporter to NBA Journalist: A Story of Chance
In January 2013, Melissa Rohlin was just another young journalist trying to break into the competitive world of sports reporting. Working for a local newspaper, she covered high school girls basketball and dreaded the prospect of covering 10 straight games in one tournament.
One day, she decided to take a risk that could define her career: pitching to cover Lakers games and practices during her free time. Her editor, perhaps not expecting much, agreed—little did he know it would change everything.
A Kindness That Changed Everything
Bryant was known for his competitive nature and the intensity of his game on the court. But what Rohlin remembers most is his kindness off the court. “It started when I was a fledgling reporter covering high school girls basketball and doing office shifts in 2013,” she writes. “I wanted to cover the NBA, so I pitched going to Lakers games and practices during my free time to shoot videos and write sidebars.” Her editor reluctantly agreed, setting off a chain of events that would alter her career trajectory.
The Early Interviews
As a no-name reporter, Rohlin felt like she had duped her editor into getting a chance. She decided to ask Bryant for a one-on-one interview, feeling she had nothing to lose. “Bryant was a mythical figure,” she says. “I was a no-name girl straight out of college who felt like I had duped my editor into getting in a room I didn’t belong.” But despite her fears, he obliged.
Over the next year, Rohlin regularly attended practices and games. Bryant couldn’t have been kinder to her. “He’d allow me to pull him off to the side and point a camera in his face,” she writes. “Whatever he said went viral.” Questions ranged from the serious—such as what he thought of other players—to the silly, like what would he be if not a basketball player. Bryant laughed along with her, making her feel at ease.
Turning Point: The Basketball Camp
The turning point came in July 2013 when Bryant was hosting a basketball camp at UC Santa Barbara. Just three months earlier, he had suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon, which altered the course of his career. This summer was an incredibly tough time for him and his Lakers team.
Rohlin knew if she went to the camp, Bryant would open up about it all.
With her editor’s approval, she drove three hours to sit in on the camp. She cringed at the questions but knew this could be a pivotal moment. As soon as Bryant saw a familiar face, he walked over and gave her a hug before giving her an exclusive five-minute interview. This encounter marked a change for Rohlin’s career trajectory.
The Impact of Bryant’s Kindness
After that summer, Rohlin became the LA Times Clippers blogger. Two years later, she left the LA Times to cover the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors before returning to Los Angeles to cover the Lakers. In 2020, she was hired as a national NBA writer for FOX Sports.
Five years later, she took this job at the California Post.
Bryant jump-started her career and forever changed her life. “He helped make my career,” Rohlin says. “I never told him how much that act of generosity meant to me or how it helped shape my career.” This reflection on Bryant’s impact is both personal and professional, highlighting the dual nature of his legacy.
Bryant was more than just a basketball player; he represented hard work and dedication. He embraced the duality of being revered as a sports icon while facing controversy. “No one is all good or all bad,” Rohlin reflects. “To some, Bryant was the epitome of greatness; to others, he was a villain.” His impact transcended sports, with his “Mamba Mentality” becoming a phrase used by people across various disciplines.
Despite the controversy surrounding his past actions, there is no denying Bryant’s profound influence on millions around the world. “He deeply touched millions of people,” Rohlin writes. “There was a collective sadness in Los Angeles that I hadn’t experienced since 9-11.” His legacy continues to inspire countless players and fans alike.
Bryant’s story is one of a powerful impact, both on a personal level and on the broader landscape of sports journalism. As Rohlin reflects, she acknowledges the complex nature of Bryant’s legacy but recognizes his lasting influence on her career and the world of basketball.
