How Kobe Bryant continues to influence Ireland rugby star John Cooney

It has been three months since iconic Los Angeles Lakers player Bryant was killed alongside his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers in a helicopter crash in California

John Cooney has revealed how he continues to be influenced by legendary basketball star Kobe Bryant.

It has been three months since iconic Los Angeles Lakers player Bryant was killed alongside his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers in a helicopter crash in California.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the NBA's history.

Ireland and Ulster scrum-half Cooney has been a long-time admirer, not just of Bryant's talents on the court but his mental approach to the game, reports Belfast Live.

And it is this fortitude that helped Cooney during his recovery from shoulder surgery.

"I am a massive Kobe Bryan fan, and his death was absolutely heartbreaking," said Cooney, speaking in his role as an  ambassador for the Tackle Your Feelings campaign.

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"He was huge for me during my injury. How he approached his career, day to day. There are so many quotes from Kobe, and I just love the way he approached sport in general.

"I used to always listen to him every morning when I was driving into my rehab, and I still listen to him a lot."

Cooney admits he turned to Bryant's sporting philosophies after missing a crucial kick earlier this season.

"I can actually go back to one this season. I missed a kicked in front of the posts against Bath just before half-time, and I was really upset because I knew the game could come down to that kick," he said.

"I knew I had to come out after half-time and be ready to go again. Thankfully we won the game.

"But afterwards I went back to Kobe, and missing that game-winning shot and going back to training and you take it over and over again and you change the process and outcome.

"And that's all I did that week. I went and kicked that same kick about 20 times and I think I got it every time, so I was helping change the outcome the next time I got a similar kick.

"So he has been hugely influential."

As a huge basketball fan Cooney has been enjoying the Michael Jordan documentary 'The Last Dance'.

Ulster teammate Jordi Murphy said he was reminded of former Ireland captain Paul O'Connell when watching the Netflix production.

Cooney singled out a current Irish teammate when drawing his own comparisons with former Chicago Bulls star Jordan.

"I love basketball and I love the individuals involved in the sport," he added.

"Michael Jordan reminds me of Johnny Sexton, in terms of that drive to improve people around him and win."

Cooney believes the mental approach to sport is just as important as the physical preparation.

And while he leaves no stone unturned in fine tuning his strength and conditioning, he is also aware of the benefits of mind training.

"I am trying to learn when I am sitting on a bike for an hour," he added.

" I listen to nutrition podcasts, I was listening to Dr Rhonda Patrick on Joe Rogan yesterday, and I recently listened to an interview with Robin van Persie.

"I think it is interesting if you read up on other people and learn from their experiences, not just your own."