NBA star Kobe Bryant gave new meaning to the word prolific during an exhibition match in China over the weekend.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard needed just 15 minutes to pour in a staggering 68 points during a Nike-sponsored exhibition game in Shanghai on Sunday. Granted, it was only against the likes of some of that country’s more well-known actors and pop stars, but it was impressive nonetheless.
The crowd wanted “The Black Mamba” to put on a show, and he delivered.
Much to the delight of the packed house on hand, Bryant consistently stole the ball from the overmatched competition, who were all too willing to then oblige the five-time NBA champion and 14-time All-Star by giving him a clear path to the basket.
The 34-year-old Bryant, who is just two weeks removed from helping Team USA win the gold medal at the London Olympics, estimated the point total.
He posted a five-minute video of the affair on his Facebook page. The clip showed Bryant high-fiving teammates, playing tight defense and consistently running the floor. Bryant’s popularity runs high in China, where he helped America win Olympic gold in 2008.
LeBron James took a similar Nike-sponsored trip to China last year.
Bryant ranks fifth on the NBA’s all-time regular season scoring list and owns the league’s second-highest single-game scoring total ever after totaling 81 points against Toronto in 2006. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 ranks higher in league annals.
