Rui Hachimura wearing 28 because of Kobe and Gianna Bryant

During a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said that Hachimura chose his number because he was inspired by Bryant and his late daughter Gianna (via Know Mercy with Stephen A. Smith): “Our new player, Hachimura … I asked him: Have you chosen a number yet? He said: ‘Yeah, I’m wearing No. 28.’ I said, ‘Oh great!’ and he said ‘Because of No. 2 for Gianna and No. 8 for Kobe.’” I was like, ‘This kid is going to do good.’ I like where his heart is at.” – via Bryan Kalbrosky @ For The Win