Watch: Stunning New Video Emerges of Kobe Bryant 1996 Draft Workout

Late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was getting ready to enter the NBA Draft 25 years ago, and this draft workout will keep you talking for days. The Black Mamba decided to go pro straight from Lower Merion High School. Before the draft, Kobe had a workout for the LA Clippers. Assistant coach Rex Kalamian had the tape this whole time. He was actually in charge of the video.

Kalamian provided part of it to the LA Times. In this video, we can see Kobe taking part in a “Mikan drill.” To complete this, a player has to make layups while alternating on each side of the ball.

“This one, I knew was going to be something that I would want to look back at someday,” Kalamian told the Times. “I kind of put it aside and kept it in a box for a very long time.”

Kobe Bryant was impressive in the draft workout

Former Clippers assistant coach Barry Hecker said, “I could not believe the way he could get up like that. I looked at (fellow coach Jim) Brewer, and he looked at me and just said, “‘Holy s***, this kid is better than we had heard.’”

Kobe wanted to become a Laker. He would have played internationally if he didn’t join the Lakers nation.

The Charlotte Hornets drafted the Black Mamba 13^th. He joined the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Kobe accused Dave Cowens of being “brusque” with him following the draft.

Dave Cowens refutes Kobe Bryant’s memory of draft trade https://t.co/TFHb3KhXZg pic.twitter.com/xnB0ttmRP3

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) December 29, 2015

“I had no problem taking high school kids onto NBA teams, as long as they were ready,” Cowens said. “I would have had no objection to Kobe being on our team, and even putting him out on the floor if he earned the playing time.

“They had worked a deal. It was already decided we were going to make the trade with the Lakers if everything went as we expected. I think they had another deal, with Atlanta, in place in case something went wrong with ours. They wanted him, and he wanted to play there. Bob Bass was our general manager, and Kobe’s agent (Arn Tellem) and Jerry West, they had worked out a deal where Jerry really liked him.”