Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant says he would have picked UNC over Duke

IN YOUR FACE KRZYEWSKI.

I mean, uh, good thing Kobe Bryant picked the NBA, eh Duke?

The Los Angeles Lakers star was quite the talkative fellow during his “Kobe Up Close” special, hosted by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel last night. In addition to stating that he wasn’t sure if he’d be ready to return opening night along with questioning Dwight Howard’s desire to win, Bryant also talked about the ‘what could have been’ moments which included a reflection on college.

Bryant of course entered the league out of high school, but had he gone to college he would have picked the University of North Carolina over rival Duke – not to follow in the steps of idol Michael Jordan, but to play against fellow Tar Heel Vince Carter.

Wait – to play against? Yep – that’s right. Kobe would have picked UNC so he could have practiced against Carter on a day in, day out basis:

"Defying urban legend that he was Duke-bound, had he gone to college instead of the NBA straight out of high school, Bryant said he was leaning toward North Carolina. “I love [Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski],” Bryant said. “The truth has to come out.”Why North Carolina? Vince Carter, a Tar Heel, was one of the top guards in the country at the time. “I want to play against him, every single day,” Bryant said."