On NBA Today, former Nets executive Bobby Marks revealed they wanted to draft Bryant but were told he would play in Italy if they picked him. "We passed on Kobe in that '96 draft," Marks said.

Overlooked by scouts, these athletes defied the odds and proved everyone wrong despite picked outside top 10 in NBA Draft.

After the Charlotte Hornets drafted Bryant with the 13th-overall pick at the 1996 NBA Draft, the Lakers traded for him in exchange for All-Star big man Vlade Divac. While Bryant had a slow rise ...

Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players to have graced the NBA. Bryant was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-6 swingman was selected by L.A. in a storied 1996 NBA Draft — which included future Hall of Famers Bryant, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash — and spent all 20 of his storied ...