Ware tells ESPN he and the NBA star made a friendly wager after they both suffered what were considered long-term and devastating injuries earlier this year that whoever made a return to the hardwood first the other had to attend one of their games.
Ware scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in Louisville's preseason opening win against Pikeville on Nov. 6, marking his return to the court just eight months after he suffered a devastating broken right leg against Duke.
Cardinals coach Rick Pitino has since determined it will be about "two weeks" before the junior guard will play in a regular season game as he takes "more time to prepare and be normal again." Ware set out Louisville's regular season opener against Charleston won by the No. 3 Cardinals 70-48.
Still, Ware has played again for the defending NCAA champion Cardinals, while Bryant yet remains sidelined for the Lakers stemming from the torn Achilles injury he suffered late last season.
A notorious sore loser, Bryant, 34, has to feel good for Ware, who some speculated career might be over after in a NCAA tournament game. Bryant has recently hinted his return may come soon for the struggling Lakers who have sputtered to a 3-5 start.
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