Trae Young wears a No. 8 jersey to salute Kobe Bryant, ends with 45 points and 14 assists

Emotional Trae Young honors Kobe Bryant with 45 in Hawks' win

Trae Young recorded 45 PTS, 6 REB and 14 AST as the Atlanta Hawks went on to defeat the Washington Wizards, 152-133 at home.

Per ESPN, Young wore a No. 8 jersey to salute Bryant during the first few seconds of the game and dressed up his shoes with a heartfelt tribute, as well.

It wasn’t easy for Young, who was mentored by Bryant and had a special relationship with the former NBA star’s 13-year-old girl, nicknamed Gigi.

“One of the last conversations we had, he was just telling me how much he’s seen my game progress and he’s just been happy for me,” Young said between pauses. “He said how proud he was of me and how he wants me to continue to be a role model for kids growing up and for Gigi and all the kids looking up to me, to inspire these kids and continue to play my heart out.”