Kobe Bryant

As a senior, Bryant led Lower Merion to their first state championship in 53 years. During his senior year, he averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4 steals, and 3.8 blocked shots in leading the school to a 31–3 record. He finished his high-school career as Southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading scorer at 2,883 points, surpassing both Wilt Chamberlain and Lionel Simmons. As a senior, he was named Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men's National Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, a first-team Parade All-American and a USA Today All-USA First Team player. His coach, Greg Downer, commented that he was "a complete player who dominates" and praised his work ethic. He was later honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans for his high school play.

Bryant decided to forgo college basketball and enter the NBA draft lottery, the sixth player to do so. His announcement garnered significant publicity at a time when prep-to-pro was rare. Before the 1996 NBA draft, Bryant worked out in Los Angeles, where he scrimmaged against former Lakers Larry Drew and Michael Cooper and, according to then-Laker general manager Jerry West, "marched over these people".

Bryant debuted in the Summer Pro League in Long Beach, California, scoring 25 points before a standing-room-only crowd. Defenders struggled to get in front of him. Bryant scored 36 points in the finale and finished with averages of 24.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.

In the 2000 Finals, against the Indiana Pacers, Bryant injured his ankle in Game 2 after landing on Jalen Rose's foot. Rose admitted he placed his foot under Bryant intentionally. Bryant did not return, and missed Game 3. In Game 4, Bryant scored 22 in the second half and led the team to victory as O'Neal fouled out. Bryant scored the winner to put the Lakers ahead 120–118. With a 116–111 victory in Game 6, the Lakers won their first championship since the 1988 NBA Finals.

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