To be a college sophomore guarding Kobe Bryant in a meaningful game

Maryland sophomore Greivis Vasquez was the starting point guard for the Venezuelan national team this summer when he got the chance of a lifetime. Vasquez guarded Bryant when Venezuela played the United States in the FIBA Americas Championship. Vasquez finished with a team-high 12 points in the 112-69 loss to Team USA, but the highlight for him was going one-on-one with Bryant:

I couldn't even believe that night. It was amazing and unbelievable. I was guarding Kobe Bryant and was like, 'I can't believe it.' I just wanted to hug him. I have watched him since I was little. He is my favorite player in the world. Some people say LeBron James or somebody else is the best player. I think Kobe Bryant is the best player. Kobe talked to me in Spanish. I didn't think he would talk to me in Spanish.

He was like, 'You're 20 years old. You're young, but if you keep working hard you have a pretty good chance to play in the NBA soon. I like your intensity.' He was a nice guy and it meant a lot coming from him. I never thought he was going to play defense on me like that. He was playing defense like it was the Finals. The NBA players are so strong. I try to work on getting stronger but I play so much so I still have to work a lot on strength. Playing on the national team was a dream come true. It helped me out individually because I have so much confidence now. I am hungry. I feel like I can play against anyone in college basketball because I played against Kobe Bryant and NBA players. My confidence is pretty high right now.

-- Interview by Eric Prisbell