[a]listdaily caught up with former Los Angeles Lakers star Rick Fox to discuss why the three time NBA champion is investing serious time and money into eSports through Echo Fox.

Among a wide variety of topics, Fox also discussed how former teammates Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are trying to seize the opportunity in an industry that’s slated to reach nearly $2 billion by 2018.

Bryant, the NBA 2K17 cover man who earlier this month said he’d “consider” a business opportunity in eSports, is a key free agent Fox is trying to court.

“Kobe has an interest [in eSports.] He and I have scheduled a sit down and talk about it. I’d love to get him involved. I’d love to pull him into Echo Fox. That’d be quite the coup because I know the value of his competitive fire, his expertise in terms of just leadership, and understanding how to tackle business. He’s got the time now, so he has an open door with us, for sure.”

For the full interview, which also features Echo Fox CEO Jace Hall, click on the video above.

Follow Manouk Akopyan on Twitter @Manouk_Akopyan