The relationship between Kobe Bryant, DeMar DeRozan and James Harden stems back over a decade ago.

Long before the three of them took the court together at the Drew League.

Growing up a few miles where Bryant gave the city five titles, the latter two adopted a work ethic to be the best.

DeRozan, a Compton native, was a five-star prospect who starred at Compton HS, & Harden, another five-star player at Artesia HS, honed their skills on the hardwood.

Throughout their amateur careers, DeRozan & Harden earned every prestigious award, accolade and invitation highly-touted prospects receive, including an invitation to play against Kobe at his annual Basketball Academy, a week-long camp that hosted kids from around the world.

The scrimmage also included Austin Daye & Malcom Thomas — two players that have spent their summers at #TheDrew.

There, DeRozan & Harden learned skills and valuable intricacies of the sport that would resonate at the next level, as well as testing that knowledge against Kobe.

In ‘09, DeRozan & Harden were both top-10 draft picks.

The two competed on a consistent basis against their mentor — whether they played as visitors in L.A. or were hosting him in their respective cities — and always credited Kobe’s tutelage as a pivotal key prior to being pros.

From STAPLES Center to Oklahoma City to Toronto to Houston to Watts, any chance DeRozan and Harden got, they were giving it all their whenever they faced the Black Mamba. #MambaMentality