Kobe Bryant Would 'Probably' Visit Donald Trump White House After Championship

Former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant told Ben Strauss of Politico that he would "probably" go to the White House to visit President Donald Trump if he were a part of a team that won a championship, though he reportedly paused to consider his answer.

"I probably would go," he told Strauss. "That visit is more than how you feel about the current administration. It's about the guys next to you, about the flag, about the kids out there who look up to you and the United States. But, honestly, it's a tough call."

Bryant never had to think twice about visiting former U.S. President Barack Obama, however, telling Strauss he went to the White House in 2015 after announcing his retirement simply to pick Obama's brain.

"In sports, you get better by working in the gym," Bryant noted. "I wanted to know how he got better, from managing his schedule to what he reads. And because he gets sports, and we can talk about that, too, it makes it easier to have that connection."

Bryant also spoke on the impact Obama had on athletes and NBA players during his two terms as president:

"Obama didn’t inspire someone like Colin Kaepernick (the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who knelt during the national anthem last season). But he did help athletes progress beyond just asking questions or just being angry, and asking why something is the way it is. Like what’s the constitutional reason behind something and what can be changed."

"He made locker rooms more politically aware. Conversations changed. Obviously, now with the violence we’re seeing across the country, that’s something athletes are understanding more and more. He was rare. We all miss him to a certain extent."

The NBA community has been far more outspoken against the Trump White House. A number of coaches, players and former players criticized the president's proposed Muslim ban, most notably Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. 

And Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James expressed uncertainty in November about visiting the White House if he won a championship during Trump's time in office.

"I don't know." James said, per Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com. "We'll have to cross that road, I guess. We'll see. I would love to have to cross that road."