Anthony Davis received his first lesson in work ethic from one of the greatest to ever don a Los Angeles Lakers jersey. The now-primed new big man in town was part of a 2012 Team USA team in which Kobe Bryant took him under his wing, teaching him not only about basketball, but about the work ethic and the mentality it takes to make it as a star in the NBA.

“Anthony was different just because of his curiosity about the game itself,” said Bryant, according to Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times.

Bryant recalls Davis being present when he exchanged thoughts with tennis great Serena Williams, dutifully paying attention to two greats having a conversation.

“I think he was there when me and Serena had a nice conversation about work ethic and competition and how she processes competitiveness and rivals and all that,” Bryant says. “Sort of comparing notes. He was just sitting there watching.”

The two would often find a spot to talk for 30-40 minutes during Lakers games in New Orleans, which allowed for Davis to soak in years of mastery while picking Bryant’s brain.

Yet Bryant thinks if there’s something that has kept Davis from reaching his absolute peak, it’s injuries.

“I think the injuries have derailed it from really exploding,” Bryant said of Davis’ NBA career, “but my goodness he’s been doing some phenomenal stuff. Health is really the only obstacle for him to go and have that ridiculous Hall of Fame career.”

Davis will have a shot at reaching his peak in Bryant’s own old home, the Staples Center, once the Lakers’ first game of the season tips off on Tuesday against their hallway rival Los Angeles Clippers.