NBA
Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino Shares Memorable Kobe Bryant Story

Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino revealed a memorable interaction he once had with the late Kobe Bryant.
Vinny Guadagnino Shares Kobe Bryant Story
Guadagnino stopped by for the latest episode of Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks.
Guadagnino was asked about famous people he met while attending Knicks’ games at Madison Square Garden.
The Jersey Shore star recalled his “crazy Kobe experience” while sitting courtside at a game.
“All of a sudden, like Kobe is giving an interview and he just starts going like this [motioning to him],” Guadagnino said. “I’m looking in another direction because I don’t want to be the guy that like accidentally thinks Kobe is waving to him.”
After the Lakers star acknowledged Guadagnino, the two “dapped up” and began talking.
“He had just watched an episode of Jersey Shore where I was wearing Kobes [sneakers],” Guadagnino recalled. “And he had just dropped them too.”
Kobe Bryant Sends Vinny Guadagnino 20 Sneakers After Game
Vinny from Jersey Shore says Kobe used to watch the show and once invited him to dinner, then sent 20 pairs of shoes to his house
(🎥 @Roommates__Show / https://t.co/GQRuP3bOMu) pic.twitter.com/ykAxE5AC1c
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 20, 2025
After meeting at the game, Guadagnino revealed Bryant invited him to dinner, where they “chilled a little bit.”
Because Guadagnino wore Bryant’s signature shoes, the Lakers’ legend hooked the reality TV star up with some more sneakers.
“The next day, there were like 20 pairs of sneakers at my door of the Kobes,” Guadagnino said. “It was f****** epic.”
The “surreal” interaction happened after Bryant dropped over 60 points on the Knicks.
Guadagnino guessed that Bryant scored 67 points against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Bryant scored 61 points in a 126-117 win against the Knicks at MSG on Feb. 2, 2009.
The first episode of Jersey Shore did not air until December 2009, so Guadagnino and Bryant’s interaction likely did not occur at that game.