Arizona Wildcats: T.J. McConnell takes on Kobe Bryant

The Sixers T.J. McConnell put on a show in his 20 minutes tonight in the Sixers first win against the Los Angeles Lakers and a legend, Kobe Bryant.

Zona Zealots just posted an article about how our former Arizona Wildcats were doing as rookies in the NBA, but we thought you would enjoy just a little more of T.J. McConnell.

After a pre-game tribute to Kobe Bean Bryant by the Sixers organization where they gave him a framed Lower Marion HS Jersey with his number 24 on the back, the game was pretty neck and neck until the fourth quarter.

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The game was either going to be the Sixers 19th lost or their first win, either way we were watching to see how McConnell would play in the pro’s against an old adversary in D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State) and a legend in Kobe Bryant. McConnell would end up guarding Russell and vice versa, so that was fun to watch.

The game started out with an uncontested three-pointer, literally the Sixers were watching, and the Lakers were rebounding and giving it back to Kobe to get his first points. It was kind of like when at the end of the season, there is a senior bench player who never played a minute in a game, and then the coach puts the player in the game for a minute or so just so he or she can get a basket. It was like that, really.

Russell played 37 minutes, he scored 20 points, made four rebounds, and dished four assists. McConnell played 20 minutes, scored seven points, made five rebounds, six assists and two steals. One would think that if McConnell played another 17 minutes, he could have earned more in the stats columns than Russell, but we will never know.

A number of moments in the game were extraordinary for McConnell, who played with absolutely no fear whatsoever. The Twitter reaction was classic and priceless.

He started out the game shooting a sweet three-pointer.

Then he broke Lou Williams ankles.

Next he was hustling and dishing off the ball with no look passes the likes of which we haven’t seen since Steve Nash.

Then he just happened to be in the right spot when Kobe passed the ball right to McConnell by mistake. He can now tell his kids that he caught a pass from the great Kobe Bryant in his final year in the league, even if it was a mistake. Maybe Kobe was thinking, ‘Here, kid, just take the ball and let’s get this game over with?’

On top of it all, McConnell won a jump ball from Kobe Bryant.

Here’s what Kobe had to say:

Dec 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) leap for a loose ball during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

At the end of the game, McConnell went after Kobe, who was dribbling the ball down the court, and he knocked it out of his hands and held on tight for a jump ball, smiling from ear to ear. The moment was not lost on McConnell.

Finally, to cap off the meeting, McConnell got a hug and some words from Kobe, a night to remember! Wonder what he asked T.J.? It looks like T.J. says, ‘No, you.”

Wildcats media and fans were watching this game, and he got a lot of attention.

"TJ McConnell is undefeated all-time against Kobe. Just sayin"

Maybe a new nickname? Someone wants to call him ‘The Surgeon,’ kind of like that, what do you all think?

T.J. you won a jump ball from a legend, you got a bad pass from a legend, you almost stole the ball but then jumped for the ball with a legend, and you got a hug from a legend. You have to feel good tonight!

Next: Arizona Wildcats: Top 30 athletes in school history

Beardown TJ! We do miss you, but we are so proud of you!