When Coach K shared Kobe Bryant’s best teaching: “You ask him to do something, he does it”
Kobe Bryant and Coach K are two of the best brains in basketball and coaching. Bryant, known for his work ethic and strong mentality, remains an inspiration to many professional and budding athletes all over the globe. Mike Krzyzewski is celebrated for his illustrious arsenal of accolades, spanning from Division I to international basketball.
In 2022, "What Drives Winning" asked Coach K about the biggest coaching lesson he learned from Kobe Bryant. Krzyzewski commended Bryant's focus, claiming that the Los Angeles Lakers legend had a unique ability to commit to his coaching.
"The best thing Kobe taught me was how he prepares," Mike Krzyzewski said. "He's the same every day and you ask him to do something he does it. And you know it's straight, it's not a winding road, it's straight down the middle and I love that."
Kobe Bryant and Coach K worked with each other from 2007 to 2012, biting gold medals in the FIBA Americas Championship (2007), the Beijing Olympics (2008) and the London Olympics (2012).
Bryant, who was coming off leading the NBA in scoring for the second straight year, helped Krzyzewski set the tone on the 2007 qualifiers and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Off the court, Bryant would be the earliest to arrive and last to leave the practice facility. On the court, he continued his consistent scoring while defensively locking up the opponent's best player, building a team-first ideology.
Coach K to add another award to his decorated cabinet
As Mike Krzyzewski continues to spearhead change and betterment in basketball even after his retirement, he is slated to add another award to his cabinet full of trophies and medals. On Tuesday, the Atlanta Tipoff Club named Coach K for the 2025 Naismith Outstanding Contributors to Basketball Award Winners.
Women’s basketball coach for Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Muffet McGraw, is also slated to receive the honor.
"Every year, we choose individuals who have made a profound impact on players and fans alike - truly embodying the spirit of basketball," Atlanta Tipoff Club's Eric Oberman said in a release. "It’s a privilege to honor these remarkable figures who dedicated their lives to fostering and advancing the game."
Coach K is currently using his voice to talk about the good and bad of college basketball, be it through nationally televised interviews or podcasts with players/coaches actively present in the D1 circuit.
Krzyzewski is also working with the NBA as a special adviser to basketball operations.