Engineer

The decision wasn’t easy, but Bryant chose to skip college. Prior to the draft, Bryant traveled to LA to play with former Lakers Michael Cooper and Larry Drew. General manager Jerry West recalled that Bryant “marched over these people,” and Bryant knew he had a lot to offer. “I tried to compete and do everything I was asked to do,” he said of that day. “I wanted to show them how much I enjoyed the game, how much I enjoyed competing and how much I enjoyed physical challenges.”

West was impressed. The Lakers at that time were no longer title contenders but he wanted to engineer a way to put them back on top. Acquiring Shaquille O’Neal, a free-agent center, was key, but West also wanted Bryant. His plan was to agree to a deal that would have the Charlotte Hornets choose him for their first-round pick and then trade him to the Lakers. Draft night was awkward, as Bryant stood in front of TV cameras wearing a Hornets cap, unaware of the behind-the-scenes dealings. But on July 9, 1996, Bryant was a Laker. Because he was just 17, his parents had to co-sign his contract.