Kobe Bryant News: "Black Mamba" Insists He Would Have Picked North Carolina Over Duke And Mike Krzyzewski Had He Gone To College

Despite his well-documented relationship with coach Mike Krzyzewski, Kobe Bryant insists he was leaning toward North Carolina over Duke had he gone to college prior to entering the NBA.

In a fundraising event entitled “Kobe Up Close,” aimed at raising funds for the homeless prevention foundation bearing his and his wife, Vanessa, names, Bryant told event MC and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel shades of Carolina blue were foremost in his mind back then.

“I love Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski,” Bryant told Kimmel. “The truth has to come out.”

Back at that time, the Carolina roster boasted eventual NBA star Vince Carter, then one of the college game’s most decorated players and best athletes. As much as Krzyzewski, or anything or anybody else, Bryant told Kimmel that heavily weighed into his decision.

“I want to play against him, every single day,” he said. Following in the footsteps of Carolina legend Michael Jordan, the man many sense Bryant has most sought to model his game after, also is thought to have had at least some impact.

Known as “The Black Mamba,” Bryant was drafted No. 13 by Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 Draft and immediately dealt to Los Angeles for Vlade Divac. Early in his career, he reportedly used both perceived slights as motivation in embarking on a 17-year, 15-time All Star career that has also netted five NBA championships.

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