What Happened to the 12 Players Drafted Before Kobe Bryant?

The 1996 NBA Draft is widely regarded as one of the best draft classes in basketball history. It produced multiple All-Stars, Hall of Famers, and three MVP winners. But one of the most intriguing aspects of this draft is the fact that 12 players were selected before the late Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

Kobe, drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a pre-arranged deal orchestrated by Jerry West, went on to have a legendary career. However, what happened to the 12 players who were selected before him? Let’s take a look.

1st Pick – Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)

Allen Iverson, known as “The Answer,” was an electrifying guard who became an 11-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, and the 2001 NBA MVP. He led the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, where he famously stepped over Tyronn Lue in Game 1. Iverson’s impact on basketball extended beyond the court, as he influenced a generation with his style, including tattoos, headbands, and arm sleeves. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

2nd Pick – Marcus Camby (Toronto Raptors)

Camby was a defensive specialist who won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2007. He led the league in blocks multiple times and had a long career, playing for several teams, including the Knicks, Nuggets, and Blazers. Though never a superstar, Camby was a valuable player known for his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities.

3rd Pick – Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Vancouver Grizzlies)

A talented power forward, Abdur-Rahim was one of the few bright spots for the struggling Vancouver Grizzlies. He averaged over 18 points per game for his career and made the 2002 All-Star team. After retiring, he transitioned into basketball operations and is currently the president of the NBA G League.

4th Pick – Stephon Marbury (Milwaukee Bucks, traded to Minnesota Timberwolves)

Stephon Marbury had an eventful career in the NBA, making two All-Star teams and earning a reputation as a dynamic point guard. However, conflicts with coaches and teammates led to a turbulent NBA career. After leaving the league, he reinvented himself in China, winning multiple championships and becoming a basketball icon there.

5th Pick – Ray Allen (Minnesota Timberwolves, traded to Milwaukee Bucks)

Ray Allen became one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He won two championships, one with the Celtics in 2008 and another with the Heat in 2013, where he hit one of the most clutch shots in NBA Finals history. A 10-time All-Star, Allen retired as the all-time leader in three-pointers made (until Stephen Curry surpassed him). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

6th Pick – Antoine Walker (Boston Celtics)

Antoine Walker was a flashy forward who made three All-Star teams and won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. However, financial mismanagement led to bankruptcy despite earning over $100 million in his career. He has since worked to educate young athletes on financial literacy.

7th Pick – Lorenzen Wright (Los Angeles Clippers)

Lorenzen Wright played 13 seasons in the NBA as a solid role player, primarily known for his defense. Tragically, he was murdered in 2010 in a shocking case that took years to solve. His ex-wife and another man were eventually convicted of orchestrating his killing.

8th Pick – Kerry Kittles (New Jersey Nets)

A talented shooting guard, Kittles played for the Nets and was part of their back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. However, injuries limited his career, and he retired earlier than expected.

9th Pick – Samaki Walker (Dallas Mavericks)

Walker had a journeyman NBA career but won an NBA championship in 2002 with the Lakers. His most notable moment came when he hit a controversial three-pointer that led to the introduction of replay reviews in the NBA.

10th Pick – Erick Dampier (Indiana Pacers)

Dampier was a solid center who had a lengthy NBA career, primarily with the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks. He was known for his defense and rebounding but was never a dominant force.

11th Pick – Todd Fuller (Golden State Warriors)

A classic draft bust, Todd Fuller never lived up to expectations in the NBA. He had a short and unremarkable career before moving on to other ventures outside of basketball.

12th Pick – Vitaly Potapenko (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Potapenko had a respectable but unspectacular NBA career, playing as a backup center for several teams. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and is currently an assistant coach in the NBA.

The Lakers’ Gamble on Kobe Bryant Paid Off

Looking back, the Lakers’ decision to trade for Kobe Bryant turned out to be one of the greatest moves in NBA history. Over his 20-year career, Kobe became a five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star, and one of the most beloved figures in basketball. While many of the players drafted before him had solid NBA careers, none reached the legendary status that Kobe Bryant achieved.

It’s fascinating to think about how different the NBA landscape might have been if teams had taken the high school phenom earlier. But as fate would have it, Kobe found his way to the perfect franchise and left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.