Late Bloomer
Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber, and Kevin Garnett were all highly touted high school stars that were recruited in their teens from college and NBA suitors. David Robinson did not play organized basketball until his senior year of high school.
He was very athletic and tried every sport as a kid, but gave up on basketball at an early age. At 6-foot-6 in his final high school year, his basketball coach thrust him onto the team and the rest is history.
Completing His Service
Imagine you’re an NBA GM that’s landed the No. 1 player on your draft board…but have to wait two years until he can play for you (okay, sit down Sam Hinkie). The Spurs had won the 1987 draft lottery and selected David Robinson No. 1, despite the fact that he still had two years of military service to complete.
By the time Robinson laced up for San Antonio, he was 24 years old (by comparison, Kobe would’ve been entering his 7th season).
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