The 1996 NBA Draft featured a haul of future superstars, including the late Kobe Bryant.
Oftentimes, an NBA draft class is headlined by a consensus top prospect. For example, Duke’s Cooper Flagg was that prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft.
However, the 1996 NBA Draft class was loaded with future NBA superstars. So much so that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant fell to the 13th spot.
Today, the Mamba is viewed as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but in 1996, 12 different teams passed on the opportunity to welcome him to their rosters.
Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images12 players who were picked ahead of Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft
For context, Bryant was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. However, the organization sent him to the LA Lakers on draft night.
It was arguably one of the biggest mistakes made by the Hornets’ front office as Bryant went on to help the Lakers win five NBA Championships over 20 years.
But what about the other players picked before him? Well, here’s the list of 12 players who went ahead of the Basketball Hall of Famer in 1996.
Draft Pick NumberPlayer NameTeam1Allen IversonPhiladelphia 76ers2Marcus CambyToronto Raptors3Shareef Abdul-RahimVancouver Grizzlies4Stephon MarburyMilwaukee Bucks5Ray AllenMinnesota Timberwolves6Antoine WalkerBoston Celtics7Lorenzen WrightLos Angeles Clippers8Kerry KittlesNew Jersey Nets9Samaki WalkerDallas Mavericks10Erick DampierIndiana Pacers11Todd FullerGolden State Warriors12Vitaly PotapenkoCleveland Cavaliers13Kobe BryantCharlotte Hornets
Although Bryant wasn’t viewed as a better prospect than the likes of Allen Iverson and Ray Allen, he certainly retired as a more decorated player than them.
What happened to NBA players drafted before Kobe Bryant?
Considering the 1996 NBA Draft took place nearly 30 years ago, it’s obvious that none of them are currently active in the league.
Speaking of the players, let’s take a look at how their NBA careers panned out. But before that, let’s not forget, Kobe retired as a 5x NBA champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 18x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA scoring champion, 15x All-NBA, 12x All-Defensive, and 4x All-Star MVP.
Player NameNBA Retirement YearAccoladesAllen Iverson20101x NBA MVP, 7x All-NBA, 11x NBA All-Star, 1996-97 ROY, 4x scoring champion, 3x steals champion, 2x All-Star MVP, 1996-97 All-Rookie, Hall of FameMarcus Camby20131x NBA DPOY, 4x All-Defensive, 4x NBA blocks champion, 1996-97 All-RookieShareef Abdul-Rahim20081x NBA All-Star, 1996-97 All-RookieStephon Marbury20092x NBA All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 1996-97 All-RookieRay Allen20142x NBA champion, 2x All-NBA, 10x NBA All-Star, 1996-97 All-Rookie, Hall of FameAntoine Walker20081x NBA champion, 3x NBA All-Star, 1996-97 All-RookieLorenzen Wright2009–Kerry Kittles20051996-97 All-RookieSamaki Walker20061x NBA championErick Dampier2012–Toddy Fuller2001–Vitaly Potapenko2007–
This shows how good Bryant was and why he’s considered in the GOAT debate. Aside from his NBA career, Bryant also led Team USA to two gold medals in the Olympics.