In 2004, at age 15, DeRozan attended Bryant’s summer basketball camp, Kobe Academy, at a local high school, an experience he claims changed his game and, ultimately, his life. “Fifteen years old” he said. “Ever since then he’s just been part mentor and part friend, since I was 15 years old. It just started from there, being part of that, taking advice from him, standing out and being one of those L.A. guys that had that connection with him and taking it from there.