Kobe Bryant Drafted After Todd Fuller: How 1996 Pick Shaped His Rise

Kobe Bryant was chosen 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft on 26 June 1996, after the Warriors picked Fayetteville native Todd Fuller at No. 11. The draft order set the stage for Bryant’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he began a career that would redefine the game.

Todd Fuller, a 6‑foot‑10 center from NC State, led the ACC in scoring (20.9 ppg) and was second in rebounding (9.9 rpg) as a senior. The Golden State Warriors needed a low‑post presence, so they selected him with the 11th pick, ahead of future stars Kobe Bryant, Peja Stojaković and Steve Nash. Fuller’s college résumé and ACC honors convinced the Warriors he could fill their interior needs immediately.

Charlotte Hornets owned the 13th slot and chose Kobe Bryant, then executed a pre‑arranged deal sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers for veteran Vlade Divac. That trade gave Bryant a platform in a market hungry for a new star, and the Lakers’ roster allowed him to develop under veteran guidance while getting significant minutes.

Fuller’s NBA tenure lasted five seasons. He appeared in 132 games for Golden State before being traded to Utah in 1999. Subsequent stints with Charlotte and Miami followed, and he eventually played overseas until retiring in 2007. While his professional stats were modest, Fuller’s academic accolades-Academic All‑American and Rhodes Scholarship candidate-highlighted his off‑court dedication.

The 1996 draft class is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever, producing five Hall of Famers, three MVPs and 11 champions. Kobe Bryant’s placement at No. 13 underscores how a seemingly modest draft position can launch a career that eclipses many higher picks. The fact that Fuller was selected ahead of Bryant adds a “what‑if” layer that fuels endless debate among fans and analysts.

The ripple effect of that night is evident in the Lakers’ dynasty that began in the early 2000s, powered by Bryant’s scoring, work ethic and clutch performances. Meanwhile, Fuller’s brief NBA run serves as a reminder that draft position isn’t the sole predictor of impact. The 1996 draft continues to be a benchmark for evaluating talent pipelines and trade strategies across the league.