Kobe Sanders’ parents turned early mornings and family history into the blueprint for basketball excellence.
Kobe Michael Sanders has emerged as one of basketball’s most compelling success stories, transforming from an overlooked high school prospect into a potential NBA draft pick.
Born on May 30, 2002, Sanders’ journey through college basketball demonstrates the power of perseverance and an unwavering work ethic.
His collegiate career began at Cal Poly, where he spent four seasons developing his skills and leadership abilities despite facing significant team struggles.
During his tenure with the Cal Poly Mustangs from 2020 to 2024, Sanders appeared in 100 games with 71 starts, averaging 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
His breakthrough came during his senior season when he averaged an impressive 19.6 points per game, earning All-Big West Honorable Mention honors.
Sanders set multiple school records, including an all-time Cal Poly record for consecutive free throws made without a miss (17 against CSUN) and the Division I-era single-season record for free throws made with 174.
After completing his four-year journey at Cal Poly, Sanders entered the transfer portal and committed to the University of Nevada for his final season of eligibility.
At Nevada, Sanders elevated his game to new heights, averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while earning third-team All-Mountain West honors.
His standout performances included a game-winning three-pointer against VCU and multiple 20-plus point games throughout the season.
Following his successful campaign with the Wolf Pack, Sanders declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and received an invitation to participate in the NBA Draft Combine, positioning himself as a potential late first-round or early second-round selection.
Kobe Sanders’ Athletic Journey Reflects the Sacrifices and Values Instilled by His Parents
Behind Kobe Sanders’ remarkable basketball journey stands a foundation built by his parents, Roland and Sara Sanders, whose influence extends far beyond the basketball court.
Roland Sanders worked night shifts, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to his family by returning home early in the morning to wake his sons for their daily training sessions.
His work ethic and willingness to prioritize his sons’ development over his own rest established a powerful example of parental commitment.
Roland’s approach to basketball development was methodical and strategic, having his sons study film and teaching them to think the game like point guards, regardless of their eventual size or position.
Sara Sanders brings an equally impressive background to the family’s athletic foundation.
Her maiden name was Driscoll, and she comes from North Dakota’s storied Driscoll athletic lineage, a family with deep roots in competitive sports.
Sara’s own athletic background includes high school basketball, where she developed her understanding of the game that would later influence her sons’ development.
Her family’s farming background instilled values of hard work and perseverance that trace back generations, with stories of relatives working on plantations and farms that shaped the family’s work ethic.
The Driscoll family’s athletic legacy runs remarkably deep.
Sara’s four brothers all played college basketball, with three of them—Pat and Mike at North Dakota State, and Jim at the University of North Dakota—earning induction into their respective schools’ Halls of Fame.
The fourth brother, Tom, also played basketball and tennis at North Dakota State University.
This athletic excellence continued into the next generation, with Sara’s nephews Jake and Jordan (Jim’s son) both playing at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Additionally, Sara’s niece Amber Abraham, daughter of Sara’s sister Kathy, became the family’s only Division I athlete, playing four years at Arkansas State after setting multiple three-point records in high school and scoring over 900 points.
When Kobe was just two years old, Sara coached his older brother Gage during YMCA games, with baby Kobe sleeping in a sleeper under the bench throughout the entire hour-long games.
This early exposure to basketball created an environment where the sport became a natural part of family life.
Sara’s coaching experience provided her with insights into player development and team dynamics that would prove invaluable in guiding her sons’ basketball journeys.
The Sanders parents understood that success required more than natural talent; it demanded consistent effort and sacrifice.
They established a routine of early morning workouts when Kobe was just seven years old, though he initially didn’t understand why they woke him and his brother so early.
Roland would return from his night shift specifically to take his sons to the gym, demonstrating the family’s commitment to excellence through action rather than words.
The stories the Sanders parents shared with their children about previous generations working on farms and plantations created a powerful context for understanding sacrifice and perseverance.
These family narratives, as Kobe’s brother Gage explains, “wired us a little differently” and gave them an appreciation for the opportunities they had been given.
The parents ensured their sons understood that their current opportunities came as a result of previous generations’ sacrifices and hard work.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In December 2023, Sanders set an all-time Cal Poly school record by making all 17 of his free-throw attempts against CSUN without a single miss.
- Sanders experienced significant growth spurts throughout his basketball career, starting high school at around 5’8″, reaching 6’6″ by his senior year, and eventually growing to 6’8″ and 205 pounds during his college career.
- During his AAU basketball career with the San Diego Rebels, Sanders’ team was ranked fourth in the nation, and he competed directly against future NBA lottery pick Jalen Green (who became the #2 overall pick for the Houston Rockets).
