Kobe Bryant, renowned for his decision to skip college and join the NBA straight out of high school, almost took a different path. Former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, working with Adidas in 1995, offered a contract that required Kobe to forgo college basketball and go directly to the NBA draft. Author Roland Lazenby, known for his biography on Kobe Bryant, recently revealed the story behind Kobe’s entry into the NBA through an Adidas deal. Despite Kobe’s desire to play for Duke, financial constraints led him to sign the contract. This decision ultimately shaped Kobe’s career, as he became a legend on the basketball court.