Tuesday marked a historic moment for the Los Angeles Lakers as they officially welcomed 25-year-old Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic to the team. Doncic now joins a legacy of basketball greats who have worn the Lakers jersey, including LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant.

Luka has often spoken about LeBron and Kobe being two of his all-time favorite players. Less than six years ago, Bryant and Doncic shared a memorable moment on the sidelines at Staples Center when Luka’s Dallas Mavericks played the Lakers. Bryant, speaking to Doncic in Slovenian, caught his attention, causing the young star to turn around, only to see Kobe sitting next to his daughter, Gianna. The two shared a touching exchange, which Luka would remember deeply, especially following the tragic events that followed.

“First of all, I remember that exact moment that happened,” Doncic reflected during his introductory press conference. “It always stayed in my mind. It was an amazing moment, just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me. I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment, and I’m excited about this new journey and happy to be here.”

The interaction between Luka and Kobe that night was special, and it gained even more significance in the aftermath of the tragedy. It highlighted the profound impact Bryant had on the game and the new generation of players who followed in his footsteps. Now, Doncic has the honor of wearing the same Lakers jersey that Bryant wore for two decades, a jersey that now hangs in the rafters of the Staples Center. As Luka said, it’s a bittersweet moment, wishing that Kobe and Gianna were still around to witness his arrival. This feels like the kind of addition Bryant would have been thrilled to see.

Luka Doncic, although surprised by the trade, is eager to begin his Lakers journey.

“I mean, everybody was surprised. So you can imagine how surprised I was. I was almost asleep when I got the call, so I had to check if it was April 1st,” Doncic shared.

“I didn’t really believe it at first. It was a big shock and a hard moment for me. It was home, so it was really a hard moment for me. With that said, I get to play for the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this journey.”