Andrew Wiggins has a ton of respect for Kobe Bryant’s game and compares him to the player he considers to be the greatest ever: Michael Jordan. Wiggins even wants to challenge the Lakers superstar 1-on-1 more than any other player in the NBA.
In a 2013 interview with ESNews that took place before he even began his college career at Kansas, Wiggins was asked which NBA great he’d play 1-on-1 if he had his choice. He named Kobe.
“I’d want to face Kobe because he’s the closest thing to the greatest ever. I think Michael Jordan’s the greatest ever, but Kobe’s second to Michael Jordan, and I want to see where I stand.”
Wiggins also said in the interview, “I’m a big fan,” of Kobe Bryant.
Wiggins was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and is expected to head to Minnesota as part of a Kevin Love trade. In this particular interview, he mentioned the Toronto Raptors as a team he’d like to be drafted by. If he still feels strongly about Toronto, keep that in mind for when he becomes a free agent.
Also keep this interview in mind when it comes time for Wiggins to face Bryant. Based on his words, you know he’ll be bringing his A-game.
(Note: A previous version of this post contained a supposed quote from Kobe saying the Wiggins trade would be like the Hornets trading him to the Lakers. That appears to be a fabricated quote.)
