Kobe Bryant Lists WNBA Stars Who Can Play In The NBA

Kobe Bryant is one of the best to ever play the sport of basketball. Whenever the GOAT conversation is brought up, there’s no question that the Laker legend will always end up in the mix.

The five-time NBA champion has accomplished everything needed to be considered spectacular in his 20-year career. Kobe Bryant is the architect of the concept of Mamba Mentality – an embodiment of his supreme work ethic and cerebral approach to the game.

The future Hall of Famer continues to influence his followers after retiring from the sport. He has published a book, won an Academy Award, and is teaching the Mamba Mentality to the future generation of players.

As a father and as a coach, he has been mentoring his daughter Gigi’s basketball team. Kobe Bryant admits that it was her daughter’s influence that had him return to watching basketball post-retirement.

With his involvement in developing the future of women’s basketball, he was asked in an interview with CNN if a female athlete can eventually make the jump to the NBA.

He responds by sharing that he believes there are current players in the WNBA who can make the transition. "I think there are a couple of players who could play in the NBA right now honestly. There's a lot of players with a lot of skill that could do it," Bryant said.

The 18-time All-Star’s Mamba Mentality expects nothing less than being elite. With his high standards in performance, he listed top-caliber athletes: Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Elena Delle Donne.

Taurasi is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and is a three-time champion with the Phoenix Mercury. Moore is a six-time All-Star and is also a former MVP of the WNBA. Much like Moore, Delle Donne is an MVP and has won a championship. She’s also a member of the prestigious 50-40-90 club, shooting 50% from the field, 40% from the three-point area and 90% from the free-throw line.

Kobe Bryant adds that talent is abundant in the WNBA and is confident they can ball with the NBA. “ There's a lot of great players out there so they could certainly keep up with them," he said.