While Kobe Bryant famously bypassed college in favor of entering the 1996 NBA Draft, legend long had it that he would have attended the University of North Carolina so as to follow in Michael Jordan’s footsteps.
However, Bryant set the record straight and said his university of choice actually would have been Duke. He explained it was due to Dean Smith halting his recruiting process because of Bryant’s likely decision to go pro, whereas Mike Krzyzewski remained in pursuit of the eventual Los Angeles Lakers legend.
The missed opportunity was made up for in some regard when Krzyzewski was named head coach of the USA National Team.