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.
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