'Scholarship material for the States': Mayo star Kobe McDonald's basketball education

Just like his half brother Jordan Flynn, Kobe McDonald was named after a basketball icon. His school coach Liam McHale believes the young Mayo star loves being on the court as much as the football pitch

Liam McHale on Kobe McDonald: “If he wasn’t playing football or heading to Australia, he’d be scholarship material for the States." Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised, given his first name.

But for an idea of how grounded Kobe McDonald has remained while soaring so high, we need only explore what he was up to, and up for, three mornings a week this past winter during what will always be the most manic season of his whole life.