Regardless of how you feel about the player or the Los Angeles Lakers organization as a whole, any objective fan cannot dispute the fact that Kobe Bryant is one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history, and arguably the second-best shooting guard of all time, only behind Michael Jordan himself.
So, to consider the fact that Bryant was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, meaning there were 12 players that were actually taken ahead of him, has to boggle the mind.
Just who were those 12 players taken ahead of Kobe Bryant? Let’s take a closer look.
1. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
What Was Said At The Time: “[Iverson] is a case study of the infusion of young, raw talent that is making the league so watchable–yet at the same time unwatchable–as it accepts more and more college underclassmen.” — Chris Sheridan, LA Times
Measurables: 6’1”, 175lbs
Position: Point Guard
College: Georgetown
Career Recap: One of the most singularly exciting players of the late 90’s through early 2000’s, Allen Iverson — also known as “The Answer” — was an 11-time NBA All-Star, won the All-Star game MVP award in 2001 and 2005, and was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2001.
His regular season career scoring average of 26.7 points per game ranks seventh all-time, and his playoff career scoring average of 29.7 points per game is second only to Michael Jordan. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
All-Star Games: 11
All-NBA Teams: 7
Championships: 0
2. Marcus Camby, Toronto Raptors
What Was Said At The Time: “Averaged 15.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg and .501 shooting over his three-year collegiate career at UMass…named winner of 1996 Wooden Award, 1996 Naismith Award and The Sporting News College Player of the Year as well as being named to the All-America First Team” — NBA.com Player Bio
Measurables: 6’11”, 220lbs
Position: Power Forward
College: Massachusetts
Career Recap: A versatile forward who enjoyed a 19-year NBA career playing with six different teams, Marcus Camby may not have justified being taken with the second overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, but he was a defensive stalwart throughout his time in the league.
He was named to the All-NBA team four times in his career, and currently ranks 12th on the NBA’s all time career blocks list.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0
3. Shareem Abdul-Rahim, Vancouver Grizzlies
What Was Said At The Time: “The appeal of Abdur-Rahim is that he has those intangible skills — soft hands, a deft touch and an ability to run the floor and finish the fast break — that don’t show up on height and weight charts. Sure he’s thin, but he’s bound to fill out. The fact is, say those who study the draft, the more teams talk to the other players the more impressive Abdur-Rahim seems.” — C.W. Nevius, SFGate.com
Measurables: 6’9”, 225lbs
Position: Power Forward
College: California-Berkeley
Career Recap: One of the NBA’s more underrated stars of the early 2000’s because he played in the NBA outpost that was Vancouver, Shareef Abdur-Rahim averaged over 20 points per game scoring in five of his first six seasons in the NBA.
After a two-year stint with the Atlanta Hawks, Abdur-Rahim’s productivity began to decline as a result of troubles with his knees.
All-Star Games: 1
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0
4. Stephon Marbury, Minnesota Timberwolves
What Was Said At The Time: “Marbury has shown he can score when he needs to. Marbury led the Yellow Jackets and ranked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 18.9 points per game. But the 19-year-old Marbury has proven his ability to feed his teammates the ball while Iverson has talked about how he can adjust to doing that.” — Ernie Long, The Morning Call
Measurables: 6’1”, 180lbs
Position: Point Guard
College: Georgia Tech
Career Recap: Stephon Marbury was a force-of-nature combo guard who burst into the NBA with a rookie season that included 15.8 points and 7.8 assist per game averages. After he and Kevin Garnett led the young Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs, Marbury concluded that he could not co-exist with Garnett in Minnesota, demanding a trade to the east coast (to be closer to his family).
That began a journey spanning four NBA teams, before “Starbury” finished his career playing basketball in China.
All-Star Games: 2
All-NBA Teams: 2
Championships: 0
5. Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
What Was Said At The Time: “A natural scorer. Allen’s graceful, compact moves on offense often evoke comparisons with Michael Jordan. Allen is probably more of a scorer than a natural shooter, but he can hit from long distance. He runs the break like a gazelle and can finish effectively. His size and diverse offensive game are well-suited to the up-tempo pace of the NBA. ” — Phil Bedard, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’5”, 205lbs
Position: Shooting Guard
College: Connecticut
Career Recap: Arguably one of the greatest pure shooters in the history of the NBA, Ray Allen gained national notoriety both as a member of the University of Connecticut basketball team, and for portraying the ‘Jesus Shuttlesworth’ character in the movie “He Got Game.”
But, in terms of on-court production, Allen’s list of individual accolades are extensive. He gained ten NBA All-Star designations, he won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 2000 United States men’s basketball team, and he also holds NBA records in career three-point field goals made in both the regular and postseason. He is also considered one of the best shooters of all-time. In September 2018, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
All-Star Games: 10
All-NBA Teams: 2
Championships: 2
6. Antoine Walker, Boston Celtics
What Was Said At The Time: “All SEC selection, who helped the Wildcats win the National Championship. Exceptional passer. Walker has a good all-around game. Can create for himself or teammates. Will likely be selected in the top 10.” — Owen O’Malley, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’8”, 215lbs
Position: Power Forward
College: Kentucky
Career Recap: Famously known for his on-court “shimmy” after hitting big shots during the course of a game, Antoine Walker was a “tweener” forward who could put up a bunch of points in a hurry, but always seemed to be battling some impediment (like his weight) that prevented him from really reaching his true potential.
Still, he finished his career as a three-time All-Star, and won a championship as a member of the 2006 Miami Heat.
All-Star Games: 3
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 1
7. Lorenzen Wright, Los Angeles Clippers
What Was Said At The Time: “He should go high in the first round, I see him going 6th to Dallas, but any team lacking a power forward or center after Marcus Camby is taken will most likely at least take a strong look at Wright.” — Eric Opperman, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’11”, 230lbs
Position: Power Forward
College: Memphis State
Career Recap: The Los Angeles Clippers traded away Lorenzen Wright less than three seasons after drafting him, after he failed to average more than 9.0 points per game or 8.8 rebounds per game. Over the next decade, Wright would Mae stops across four different NBA teams, before his career ended in 2009.
Sadly, Wright lost his life in 2010 after it was revealed that a family member was involved in his death.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0
8. Kerry Kittles, New Jersey Nets
What Was Said At The Time: “Kerry Kittles is more like a Scottie Pippen-type. His wiry frame and well-rounded game bring compare easily with the Bulls’ All-Star small forward. Kittles is the type of player who can contribute without scoring. His strong defense and above average ball handling can make his teammates look better.” — Phil Bedard, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’5”, 180lbs
Position: Shooting Guard
College: Villanova
Career Recap: An excellent “three and D” guy who played well before the term became popular, Kerry Kittles set an NBA rookie record in his rookie season with 158 three-pointers, and followed that up by averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting almost 42% from three in his second season.
But Kittles’ career began to derail thanks to injury problems, which forced him to miss the entire 2000-2001 season. When he returned, he was never quite the same player. He played briefly with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2004-2005 season, and retired after that year.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0
9. Samaki Walker, Dallas Mavericks
What Was Said At The Time: “Walker is young and inexperienced, but he has a lot of potential. He has a good build, and can be a outstanding shot-blocker. He needs to improve his offensive skills. He’ll probably be selected in the 10-15 range.” — Owen O’Malley, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’9”, 220lbs
Position: Power Forward
College: Louisville
Career Recap: A “stretch four” that was probably about two decades too early to enjoy real success in the NBA, Samaki Walker became the youngest-ever player to appear in a game for the Dallas Mavericks. His 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his second season would mark the best such totals of his career.
But between 1999 and 2006, Walker would bounce around five different NBA teams, averaging less than 7.0 points per game and never pulling down more than 7.0 rebounds per game for the remainder of his career. He played several more years of professional basketball in Russia, China, and South Korea.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 1
10. Erick Dampier, Indiana Pacers
What Was Said At The Time: “Dampier is a two-time All-SEC selection, who set the career and season high for blocked shots at Mississippi State. He has the build to play center in the NBA. He has very limited offensive skills.” — Owen O’Malley, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’11”, 265lbs
Position: Center
College: Mississippi State
Career Recap: A classic “looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane” guy, Shaquille O’Neal used to love making fun of Erick Dampier, often referring to him as “Erica Dampier.” In 2004, after averaging a career-high 12.3 points per game (and 12 rebounds per game) with the Golden State Warriors , the Dallas Mavericks acquired Dampier via trade, and then signed him to a ghastly seven-year, $70 million contract.
For the rest of his time in Dallas, the Mavericks came to regret that deal. He averaged less than 10 points and nine rebounds per game throughout his time with the Mavericks.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0
11. Todd Fuller, Golden State Warriors
What Was Said At The Time: “Can shoot from 15 feet, decent shot blocker and good passer. Led Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring (20.9), was second in rebounding (9.9) and third in free-throw percentage (.799). Ranked second in the ACC in offensive rebounds with 3.52 per game.” SFGate.com Staff
Measurables: 6’11”, 255lbs
Position: Center
College: North Carolina State
Career Recap: Todd Fuller is yet another example of the old adage that, back in the 1990’s, NBA teams would overrate a prospect who stood seven feet tall if he could walk in a straight line while chewing gum. He played in five NBA seasons from 1996-2001 for the Warriors, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, averaging 3.7 ppg.
This low level of production coupled with the fact Fuller was drafted ahead of future NBA All-Stars Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojaković, and Jermaine O’Neal, has led many sports sources to consider Fuller one of the NBA draft lottery’s biggest “busts”.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0
12. Vitaly Potapenko, Cleveland Cavaliers
What Was Said At The Time: “He has good size and pretty good mobility. He was able to score 20 points per game despite the full attention of opposing defenses. Needs to improve his rebounding. He probably will be selected mid-late first round.” — Owen O’Malley, NBA Scout
Measurables: 6’11, 250lbs
Position: Center
College: Wright State
Career Recap: As a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Vitaly Potapenko averaged 5.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while admittedly playing less than 16 minutes per game. It didn’t get much better, even as the Cavaliers got younger, as Potapenko would continue to see his minutes decrease.
In reality, his name really lives in infamy because of the fact that Rick Pitino, while coaching the Boston Celtics at the time, traded center Andrew DeClercq and a 1999 1st round draft pick (that would become Andre Miller) in exchange for Potapenko.
All-Star Games: 0
All-NBA Teams: 0
Championships: 0