In a move that’s already stirring excitement across both sports and film communities, Warner Bros. has officially greenlit a feature film centered on one of the most pivotal moments in NBA history: the 1996 draft that launched Kobe Bryant into superstardom.
Titled With the 8th Pick, the film promises to be more than just a tribute to Bryant, it’s a behind-the-scenes thriller that explores the tension, politics, and near-misses that shaped the fate of a teenage phenom and the league itself.
The story zeroes in on the New Jersey Nets, who held the eighth pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. General Manager John Nash and incoming coach John Calipari were reportedly eager to select Bryant straight out of high school. But internal conflicts, financial constraints, and marketing pressures led them to pass, setting the stage for the Charlotte Hornets to draft Bryant at No. 13, only to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that would alter basketball history.
The film will dramatize these critical two weeks leading up to the draft, capturing the emotional and strategic tug-of-war that nearly kept Bryant from donning the iconic purple and gold.
Screenwriters Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen have crafted a script that’s being described as Moneyball meets Air, with a dash of The Social Network’s cerebral intensity. Rather than chronicling Bryant’s entire career, the film focuses on the high-stakes decisions that defined his entry into the NBA.
Producers Tim and Trevor White (King Richard) and Gotham Chopra (Kobe Bryant’s Muse) are attached to the project, promising a blend of emotional depth and cinematic flair. No director or cast has been announced yet, but the buzz suggests this could be one of the most anticipated sports dramas in years.
Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 alongside his daughter Gianna, remains one of the most revered figures in sports. His journey from high school prodigy to five-time NBA champion and global icon is etched into basketball lore. By focusing on the draft, With the 8th Pick offers a fresh lens on his legacy, one that highlights the fragility of fate and the power of a single decision.
