Kobe Bryant’s impact on my life and career stretches far beyond the basketball court. The essence of his spirit—his commitment to excellence, his relentless pursuit of mastery, and his unyielding work ethic—has inspired me not only in the game of basketball but in the field of medicine as well.
Kobe came into my life as Michael Jordan was leaving the game. While I was fortunate enough to witness the latter half of Jordan’s career, it was Kobe who defined the next era of basketball. I watched him rise, stumble, and rise again—transforming himself into a legend in real time. His journey, filled with both triumphs and setbacks, was as much about his relentless work ethic as it was about his ability to transcend the highs and lows of life and sport. I admired him for his evolution—not just as a player but as a person.
As a child, I spent countless hours pretending to be Kobe, imagining myself with the afro, emulating his moves and his fierce drive. Every jumper I took felt like a small step toward embodying that same mentality, that same greatness. It wasn’t just about mimicking his style on the court; it was about adopting his attitude toward life—uncompromising, determined, and always striving for more.
As I moved through my PhD and medical school years, I began to see the parallels between the game and the challenges I faced in my education and training. Each exam, each hurdle in my academic journey, felt like another game—where the stakes were high, the competition fierce, and the pressure unrelenting. Much like the game of basketball, the challenges I faced evolved. They were no longer just about the tests themselves, the points scored, or the rebounds; the real challenge was about controlling the pace—finding my rhythm and responding to the referees, who represented the external forces and expectations in life.
In both basketball and medicine, the referees were like the obstacles I faced—whether they came in the form of expectations from others, setbacks, or the ever-growing complexity of my work. But just like Kobe, I learned that it’s not just about playing the game that others dictate. It’s about dictating your own pace, your own path forward, and making the decisions that allow you to stay true to your mission—even when the world is telling you otherwise. It was about becoming the master of the court, no matter what rules others tried to impose. And like Kobe, I learned that sometimes the greatest victory is the ability to control the flow of the game, to bend the challenge to your will.
When Kobe passed away, a large part of my life shifted. He had become so much more than an athlete; he was a mentor through his example, his hard-won wisdom, and his unwavering determination. Now, every time I pick up a basketball and take that jumper, I still say “Kobe”—a ritual that has become a symbol of my respect for him, his legacy, and the mentality that he instilled in me.
Kobe’s Mamba Mentality taught me that greatness is not only about the final score, but about how we approach every challenge, how we overcome each obstacle, and how we stay relentless in our pursuit of the next level. His discipline was unmatched. His work ethic was legendary. He made me understand that the process—the grind—is what truly shapes who we become. In medicine, just as in basketball, we are constantly confronted with complex problems, requiring a balance of skill, patience, and persistence. Kobe’s ability to push through pain, disappointment, and doubt mirrors the dedication needed in medicine to solve problems and provide the best care possible.
He didn’t just teach us to win, he taught us how to win with heart, how to stay humble in the face of success, and how to stay grounded despite the spotlight. Kobe’s legacy lives on, not just in his championships or accolades, but in the lives he touched and the generations of people he inspired to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
As I continue my journey, whether in the operating room, clinic, board meetings or in the classroom, I do so with a sense of purpose and determination that echoes his Mamba Mentality—driven by the same passion to make a lasting impact on the world.
Thank you, Kobe, for showing us that greatness is not just about the final score but about how we handle every step of the journey.
Dharam Persaud-Sharma is an anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician.
