Warner Bros. Pictures is set to bring the story of NBA legend Kobe Bryant to the big screen.
The studio has snapped up a spec script about Bryant’s dramatic entry into the NBA. They will focus on the intense draft day saga that shaped his career.
THE FILM
The screenplay, titled With the 8th Pick?, was penned by Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen.
The tale centres on Bryant’s journey during the 1996 NBA Draft, a pivotal moment in basketball history. Kobe Bryant was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
The story explores the twist involving the eighth pick initially held by the New Jersey Nets.
THE EIGHTH PICK
According to the script, Nets GM John Nash wanted to draft Bryant with that pick, but coach John Calipari overruled him.
The Hornets then traded Bryant to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. This behind-the-scenes drama forms the heart of the film and adds layers of tension to the well-known story.
Industry insiders describe the project as a blend of Moneyball and Air, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s recent hit about Michael Jordan.
Warner Bros. quickly acquired the script after multiple studios and streaming platforms showed strong interest. Variety reports the studio avoided an auction by securing the script early.
IMPACT ON BASKETBALL
Kobe Bryant’s impact on basketball and global sport is immense, making the film particularly relevant to fans across South Africa and beyond.
Bryant’s career with the Los Angeles Lakers is legendary. He won five NBA championships. This includes a three-peat in the early 2000s alongside Shaquille O’Neal and coach Phil Jackson.
He was an 18-time All-Star and the 2007-2008 league MVP. Bryant retired in 2016, ending a 20-year career, and tragically died in a 2020 helicopter crash with eight others, including his daughter Gianna.
BASKETBALL VICTORY
Alex Sohn shared, “This story is not just about basketball. It’s about destiny, timing and decisions that changed lives forever.”
The production phase is still early, with no confirmed partners yet. However, the interest in Bryant’s story demonstrates his vast influence.
ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE KOBE BRYANT’S EARLY CAREER PORTRAYED ON SCREEN?
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