Black ___, nickname for Kobe Bryant

MAMBA

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue:\n\n*\"This venomous snake inspired a basketball legend's fierce persona.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- References the snake connection without naming it.\n- Alludes to Kobe Bryant’s playing style (\"fierce persona\").\n- Avoids repeating the clue or giving away the answer directly."]

The clue "Black ___, nickname for Kobe Bryant" leads to the answer **"MAMBA"** through the following reasoning: 1. **Direct Reference**: Kobe Bryant was famously nicknamed the **"Black Mamba"** due to his aggressive and lethal playing style on the basketball court, inspired by the venomous snake of the same name. 2. **Fill-in-the-Blank Structure**: The clue is structured as a fill-in-the-blank, where "Black" is the first part of the well-known nickname, making "Mamba" the logical completion. 3. **Cultural Context**: The nickname is deeply tied to Bryant's legacy, making it a recognizable reference for sports fans and crossword solvers alike. Thus, the answer **"MAMBA"** fits perfectly as the missing word in the nickname.