National Basketball Association

Kobe Bryant paid Kristaps Porzingis a big compliment after they squared off

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:56 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

New York Knicks fans are trying to remain level-headed when it comes to Kristaps Porzingis, who gave them something to cheer about at Madison Square Garden last season after years of despair.

But it’s not just Knicks fans who see big things in Porzingis’ future. The 21-year-old forward from Latvia was stunned when his idol, Kobe Bryant, approached the then-rookie after New York took on the Lakers at the Garden last season.

"Kobe came up to me after the game, and he said, 'You have a bright future ahead of you,'" Porzingis wrote in The Players’ Tribune.

Porzingis did show Bryant some of his talent in the Knicks’ 99-95 win, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Knicks fans hope Kobe is on the mark with this one.