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Kevin Ware dedicated himself to hard work, returned to the court for Louisville and simultaneously did something that doesn't happen all that often: He got the better of Kobe Bryant.

The Courier-Journal's Jonathan Lintner brings a wonderful wager to our attention, one that features a collegiate star and the Lakers' Bryant, who did well to motivate two athletes with awful injuries.

As Lintner notes, the Cardinals guard was on ESPN's Sunday Conversation, discussing the broken leg he suffered in an Elite Eight game against Duke and the grueling rehabilitation process possibly made easier by a bet with Bryant.

You can see the video below:

Besides mentioning the interesting note that he hasn't yet seen a video that most basketball fans will never forget, Ware also mentioned a bet he simply has to collect on now.

When asked about the national attention of his injury, the junior said that Kobe reached out to him: "We actually made a bet. Whoever come(s) back first got to come to each other's game. I got to get in touch with him again so he can make it to a game."

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While Ware broke his leg on March 31, Bryant would also sustain a harrowing injury a couple of weeks later, suffering a torn Achilles tendon on April 12.

In classic Bryant fashion, he found a way to make his own comeback trail a competitive one. Ah, but now it's time to pay the piper and show up to root for a young man who certainly continues to inspire.

While Ware didn't play in the season opener against Charleston, he did make an impact in the team's exhibition game against Pikeville, inciting a jubilant crowd with a three-pointer.

Of course, Ware is hoping to move on with minimal memory of that fateful moment earlier this year, something he credits to not watching video of his horrific injury. "Mentally, I'm pretty strong. Because I haven't seen the video, all I know is that I broke my leg, and that's as far as it goes."

Congratulations and one ticket to a Louisville game is in order. For the moment, Bryant is mum on when he will specifically return from his own injury.

The Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus did get some thoughts from general manager Mitch Kupchak, who seems to think a return in the next couple of weeks is highly unlikely.

We assume Bryant is pretty much living in the gym at the moment, willing himself back to the court, so there isn't all that much time to fly off and see Ware play. However, we are sure Bryant is aware that he has to make good on his wager.

Go ahead and tack this schedule to your fridge, Mamba.

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