Kobe Bryant's Nephew Reportedly Counts Notre Dame, Michigan Among Top College Choices

Late NBA legend Kobe Bryant's nephew Jett Washington is a four-star college football prospect for the class of 2026 who is currently listed as the number one player in the state of Nevada for his class and the number six athlete in the nation.

On Monday, it was revealed that Washington has several favored schools among those he has been in contact with during his college football recruiting experience so far, including the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines, Tennessee Volunteers, Alabama Crimson Tide and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

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"Alabama, Oregon, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan and Washington are the early standouts for the 2026 four-star athlete from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman who is also (related to the late Kobe Bryant)," Rivals.com's Adam Gorney said Monday.

Gorney added that USC was Washington's "dream school" growing up, but there hasn't been much communication with the Trojans as of yet.

Washington is the son of Kobe Bryant's sister Sharia. He grew up taking advice from Kobe Bryant and playing basketball with his famous cousin, the late Gianna Bryant.

Washington has spent time as a safety, wide receiver, and basketball player at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He plans to focus on football at the next level, although he has enjoyed being a two-sport athlete during his high school career so far.

Washington shared his thoughts on life as Bryant's nephew in comments to The Athletic.

"Sometimes I feel a little bit of pressure (being Kobe Bryant's nephew), but my parents make sure I don't feel it too much," he said.

"They tell me to just go out there and have fun, don't try to overthink and just play."

He said that Kobe Bryant wanted him to blaze his own path instead of necessarily following in his footsteps.

"My uncle was a great player," Washington said. "At the same time, I know he wanted me to make my own name. He laid the foundation for me. I'm just grateful."

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