"Kobe Bryant left a void in every athlete" - When Dawn Staley paid tribute to Lakers legend during conversation with Lisa Leslie

In January 2022, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley interviewed former WNBA legend Lisa Leslie for her podcast 'NETLIFE with Dawn Staley' on Just Women's Sports. When talking about their lives on and off the court, Staley paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

"I know everybody is tragically feeling broken-hearted," Staley said (41:12). "I mean his tragedy, the void. Kobe left a void in every athlete, every person that got a chance to see him, experience him, hear him speak love up on the game as he did, became the girl dad, you know, after he retired."

Staley then asked Lisa Leslie how her friendship with Kobe developed. She replied that she met Kobe Bryant through Michael McCary from the group Boyz II Men. Bryant and his family were moving from Philadelphia, where the group was also based, to LA to pursue his basketball dreams. McCary requested Leslie to watch out for the young Kobe.

"I would go to the house often and hang out with Shaya (Bryant) and Kobe obviously is in the room," Leslie said. "He'd be like, 'Lisa, come here.' I go upstairs, I'm like, 'What's up Kobe.' He was like, 'Look, look right here.' He's the basketball player, I'm the basketball player and so everything was about (Michael) Jordan."

"He's watching Jordan, so I come in there like, "Lisa look, look. Check this out.' So he rewinded. We just sit there and then I'm in the room with him watching Jordan ... I was like the family friend who's visiting"

Lisa Leslie added that their friendship grew over the years as they both took over their respective leagues. They both even shared the same practice facility in Los Angeles. The former Sparks legend shared that her and Bryant's later conversations revolved around the sport and their growing family.

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Lisa Leslie's predictions for Dawn Staley's Gamecocks this season

In an episode of 'Fast Friends' with Lisa Leslie and Kelly O'Hara, the former center made her predictions for the then No. 1 ranked South Carolina. Leslie was present for the season opener against Michigan and made her assessment based on it.

"They are coming off an undefeated season, which is a lot of pressure," Leslie said. "I don't think that they will stay undefeated. They have excellent chemistry, which is key. I think they have an excellent defense.

"I think South Carolina will have another successful season. I just don't think they will be undefeated."

Lisa Leslie's predictions rang true as the Gamecocks lost their tip-off against UCLA. However, they have since bounced back and are on track for another championship run.