The main man of the Illinois Fighting Illini, Ayo Dosunmu, revealed that the late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant was the inspiration behind the black mask that he regularly wears on the floor. The Chicago native claimed that he wanted to pay tribute to the greats who paved the way for up-and-coming players like him to make their own mark in the game of basketball today.

Via NCAA March Madness on Twitter:

Bryant previously wore a mask on the floor after he was hit on the nose by Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade during the 2012 All-Star Game. The Lakers great eventually rotated with transparent and black face masks in a string of games in order to protect his nose from getting hit in live action.

Similarly, Dosunmu also sustained a nose injury back in late February after absorbing a hit from Michigan Spartans big man Mady Sissoko. The 21-year-old guard eventually came back on the floor looking like Bryant, as he sported a black mask against the Ohio State Buckeyes in their final game of the regular season for a 73-68 victory.

It wasn't the only time that Dosunmu paid tribute to Bryant as he previously recreated the legend's iconic photo with a championship trophy after the Illini won the 2021 Big Ten Tournament last week, via Joe Pompliano.

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Kobe Bryant and his statue.

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Dodgers players smiling with the ghost of Kobe Bryant in the background.

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Vanessa Bryant gifting Los Angeles Dodgers Nike Kobe 6 sneakers

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In the ongoing NCAA tournament, Dosunmu and the Fighting Illini already dominated their first-round matchup against the Drexel Dragons en route to a 78-49 victory. They will seek to continue their winning momentum when they face the eighth-seeded Loyola Ramblers in the Round of 32 on Sunday morning.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood would definitely need Ayo Dosunmu to channel his inner Black Mamba as he powers the Fighting Illini all the way to the national title this season.