First guard to be drafted from high school
In 1996, the Charlotte Hornets picked for the 13th draft selection, Kobe Bryant as a guard. The 17-year-old Bryant became the first-ever guard drafted out of high school.
But behind the scenes of the draft, the LA Lakers had negotiated with the Hornets to pick Bryant so that the Los Angeles outfit would swap Vlade Divac for Bryant.
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Since he was underaged, Bryant’s parents had to cosign with him at Lakers. His rookie contract totaled $3.5 million.
