Yo ! I am not a basketball fan. I am not even a Kobe fan (never seen him play live) but I love the story behind this shirt.

I loved it so much that the first time I heard it, I immediately jumped on Google and searched "custom shirt printing online". And... well, here I am.

So for everyone who gets that little dopamine hit after they hear the story. I got you ;)

Also, I’m making roughly $1 off each shirt.

Why ? Just so I can have a cool story when people ask me about my first online dollar.

Enough about me. Here is the story:

Back in 1999, There was a guy named John Celestand.

Never heard of him? No worries. I hadn't either.

John spent only one season with the Lakers, most of it warming the bench.

But as a backup player, John prided himself on one thing.

Being the first guy to arrive at practice.

There was just one problem. John was never actually first.

No matter how early he dragged himself out of bed.

There was always one guy already there. Kobe.

Day after day, John was infuriated. But he couldn’t do anthing about it.

Then came what John thought was his big moment.

During an exhibition game, Kobe broke his wrist.

John finally saw his chance to beat his rival for the first time.

In his own words:

"I am ashamed to say that I was excited the day after his injury because I knew that there was no way that No. 8 [Kobe] would be the first to practice.

As I walked in... I heard a ball bouncing. No, no, it couldn't be!

Kobe was already in full sweat with a cast on hist right arm and dribbling and shooting with his left." -- John Celestand.

That's where this iconic photo (the one on the sweatshirt) comes from.

Kobe, with a broken wrist, still outworking everyone.