Trinity Rodman and the rest of Team USA have made it to the Olympic finals and will go head-to-head with Brazil on Saturday. Along with forwards Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson, the 22-year-old has earned the "triple threat" title, and they are all tied for the team lead in scoring at this Olympics with three goals. If they take home gold, Trinity will have a similar gold medal story as one of her biggest inspirations - Kobe Bryant.
Trinity could win gold at her first ever Olympics, which is what Kobe did at his first games in the 2008 Beijing Games. The late athlete played a vital role in America's basketball “Redeem Team." He was 29 at the time, and four years later, helped Team USA win gold again at the London Games.
Kobe Bryant's most inspiring quotes about focus, success and perseverance Naomi Osaka Reveals The Conversations She Had With Kobe Bryant What is Trinity Rodman’s relationship with her father Dennis? Trinity has opened up in the past about Kobe's influence on her as an athlete. In a recent interview with Vogue , she said Kobe was a big role model. "Obviously, I had a personal connection with him, so that added to it.
He was just...
his mentality was like no other," she explained. "The way that he worked the court, the way that he would toy with defenders. I always preach that being able to play with the defense is a huge part of the game.
Kobe was so mentally fit all the time. Even if his team lost, he was winning the one-on-one battle," the athlete continu.