As a head coach of the New Jersey Nets back in 1996, current UK basketball coach John Calipari had the opportunity to draft NBA legend Kobe Bryant with the No. 8 pick in the draft.
In fact, after bringing him in for three separate meetings and workouts, the Nets were at one point seen as the likely destination for the Lower Merion High School standout leading up to draft night.
Instead, the organization decided to take Villanova star guard Kerry Kittles at No. 8 overall, allowing Bryant to slip five more spots to Charlotte, who drafted the 6-foot-6 guard at No.