Kobe Bryant's NBA debut story is becoming a movie

Five years after his death, Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest names in basketball history, is being brought to the big screen with his life story. The Warner Bros. Pictures film will recount the legendary player's 1996 draft, which saw him transition from high school to the NBA.

The film, codenamed "With the 8th Pick," is being developed and will tell the story through the eyes of New Jersey Nets general manager John Nash and head coach John Calipari. It will explore the behind-the-scenes story of how a young Kobe was initially considered a risky pick by many teams in the 1996 NBA draft. The Nets initially expected to select him with the 8th pick, but the Nets ultimately reversed their decision, ultimately leading to his selection by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick and his subsequent trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. This pivotal moment was one of the events that rewrote basketball history.

The script is clear, the director and actors are unclear.

According to NTV, the film, written by Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, has yet to announce a cast and director. The producers say the project will follow a similar approach to "Moneyball" and "Air."

Another reason for the film's high anticipation is that it will keep the memory and basketball legacy of Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020, alive. Furthermore, the first jersey Bryant wore in his NBA career sold for $7 million a few months ago, further proving the legend's value.

Source: Decision