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Kobe Bryant thrills a young fan on ‘Ellen’

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Go anywhere in Los Angeles and you’re bound to run into a Kobe Bryant fan.

You’ll see one playing hoops at the local park wearing a No. 24 Lakers jersey. You’ll see one buying his latest Nike shoes at the mall. And you’ll certainly see plenty of them showering Bryant with “M-V-P” chants at Staples Center.

So as Bryant appeared Friday on “Ellen,” it wasn’t exactly surprising for the Lakers star to meet a 10-year-old fan, Jarred Jones, who’s seemingly collected every piece of Bryant memorabilia imaginable. Still, it reinforced just how strong Bryant’s brand remands. Jones sported plenty of Bryant’s shoes, both from Nike and Adidas. He touted various posters. And, of course, Jones had Bryant’s jersey. By presenting 15 pieces of Lakers/Kobe related gear in a video, Jerry was invited to meet Bryant on set.

His eyes widened. Ellen DeGeneres arranged for Bryant and Jones to have a shooting contest. Though he noticeably kept his competitiveness in gear, Bryant lauded the Jones’ basketball skills and jokingly invited him to training camp.

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Jones be just one of many Bryant fans around the world, but not many have met Bryant in person, played basketball or been given basket full of Kobe/Lakers gear.

But Jones has. And for that, he’s probably a bigger Bryant fan than ever.

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E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com. Follow the Lakers blog on Twitter and on Facebook.

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