Bryant’s loving reputation could be a false image according to those who knew him closely

One of Kobe Bryant’s childhood friends has recently spoken out, describing the late NBA legend in a negative light, nearly five years after his tragic death in California.

Kevin Sanchez, who first met the Los Angeles Lakers’ icon in Philadelphia, revealed that their initial bond over basketball and rap eventually deteriorated. Sanchez shared that their friendship soured when he encountered legal issues, painting a less flattering picture of the celebrated athlete.

When Kobe Bryant had just embarked on his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Sanchez found himself in legal trouble. Seeking support, Sanchez turned to the 1996 first-round pick for assistance in court, only to be met with refusal. Bryant declined to testify, effectively shutting the door on Sanchez.

In an interview with Blood on the Razor Wire, Sanchez expressed his disappointment: “To me, he’s not as good a person as everybody thinks he is. He turned out to be something else. He’s still, to me, the best basketball player I’ve ever seen play besides Michael Jordan. But as he got bigger, he became arrogant.

LeBron James is a better man, he cares for the people around him. People fed Kobe’s ego, and he knew he was becoming the best. That’s when he changed and became a different person. He ended up disrespecting all of us who were his original friends. He let us down, every single one of us.”

Despite Bryant’s attempt to pay for Sanchez’s bail—a gesture blocked by his own mother—Sanchez believes Bryant’s refusal to testify contributed to his conviction for an undisclosed criminal offense.

Bryant, who cannot defend his name due to his tragic death in a helicopter crash in January 2020, remains a controversial figure to those who knew him personally. The crash, which occurred when the aircraft attempted to navigate through dense fog, claimed the lives of all passengers, including Bryant and his daughter.