Michael Jordan Nearly Became “Black Mamba” Before Kobe Bryant, Report Reveals
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A New York Post article dated Feb. 25, 2026 reports that Michael Jordan once came close to adopting the nickname “Black Mamba,” a moniker later made famous by Kobe Bryant.
The story states that, at an unspecified point in his career, Jordan and those around him weighed the possibility of using the serpent-inspired alias before the idea was ultimately shelved. The nickname remained unused until Bryant embraced it years later, turning “Black Mamba” into one of the NBA’s most recognizable personal brands.
The report does not detail why Jordan opted against the nickname or exactly when the discussion took place, but it underscores that the concept preceded Bryant’s rise to superstardom with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jordan, who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, never publicly adopted an official nickname of comparable prominence. Bryant, on the other hand, formally introduced himself as “Black Mamba” in the mid-2000s, citing the snake’s speed and precision as inspiration.
Source: New York Post
