The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality is an origin story of sorts, tracing Kobe Bryant's early years, as a boy and a teenager, before he joined the NBA. It's been nearly two years since his death, and the book is an often thought-provoking meditation on the kid he once was.
For MEL, I spoke to Mike Sielski, a Philadelphia sports columnist and reporter who contacted many in Bryant's life and had access to never-before-heard interviews from the late athlete when he was in high school. I really enjoyed my talk with Mike, which covered masculinity, race, the comfort of sports narratives and #MeToo. Hope you enjoy.
