Kobe Bryant has gotten involved in a number of different projects since retiring from the NBA in 2016, and he doesn't show any signs of slowing.
In addition to "The Mamba Sports Academy" and his new body care company called "Art of Sport," Bryant has now revealed that he will be launching a series of Young Adult novels dubbed "The Wizenard Series."
“Granity Studio’s first young-adult novel, The Wizenard Series: Training Camp, is about an inner-city basketball team, the West Bottom Badgers, and their magical coach, Rolabi Wizenard,” says Bryant, Granity’s CEO, in a statement.
“The story unfolds through five novels, each told from the perspective of a player on the team, sharing their specific challenges, hopes, and fears. I hope readers will identify with and learn more about themselves through the diverse cast of characters and their journeys to self-acceptance. I created this sports fantasy series to represent, inspire, and entertain today’s young athletes, which is something I haven’t seen done before. It’s a story I wish had been available to me as a young athlete.”
In July, The Black Mamba told Sports Illustrated‘s Lee Jenkins, "If Harry Potter and the Olympics had a baby, that would be the world we’re trying to communicate,” Bryant says. “There’s fantasy—dreamlike, magical elements—but it’s a magic kids can experience.”
"The Wizenard Series: Training Camp" is set to release on March 19, but the novel is available for pre-order now.