Remembering a Legacy
Amalia Holguin is well aware of the legacy she represents, no matter where she finds herself.
As the youngest protégé on Kobe Bryant’s Mamba women’s basketball team, she gained recognition for her time spent alongside Bryant’s daughter, Gianna. Now, six years after their untimely passing, Holguin stands as the last active high school player coached by Bryant.
Recently, she and her team, Sage Hill, faced a tough defeat against top-seeded Ontario Christian, losing 86-54 in the California Southern Section Open Division semifinals. However, it was the aftermath of the match that drew attention.
To honor Holguin’s connection to Bryant, Ontario Christian presented her with a concrete mural dedicated to him.
Holguin has evolved from being the smallest and youngest player on Bryant’s last team to one of the leading high school basketball talents in the nation. She has earned a four-star rating by 247sports and ESPN, now standing at 5-9 as a shooting guard from Texas.
One of the standout moments in her high school journey occurred a month ago on graduation night. In a fitting display of Mamba spirit, she broke an Orange County record by sinking 14 three-pointers and scoring a staggering 61 points in a game against Laguna Beach, which resulted in a 101-26 win.
By the end of the third quarter, the record was already within reach. By the time she left the game, history had been rewritten.
Holguin’s achievement surpassed the previous record of 13 threes set in 2020 by Isabel Avalos from Buena Park. She also crossed the 2,000-point mark in her career at Sage Hill, achieving most of her points before the fourth quarter became crucial.
Although Teresa Martinez from Magnolia still holds the county scoring record with 69 points, the night clearly belonged to Holguin.
There are moments when you can see Bryant’s influence in Holguin’s gameplay—how she maneuvers the ball calmly, seeks out angles, and expresses profound love and respect for basketball.
Holguin attributes her passion for the sport to Bryant and his coaching staff, emphasizing that it’s not just about scoring but also about discipline, intention, and precision.
