According to Global Rating, these are the best players this season from each NBA draft class – including those who were eligible that year but ended up undrafted. (RNK: Overall league ranking).

Best ever or not, the 1996 NBA Draft Class definitely brought a different type of swag and introduced changes that can still be felt around the Association.

Best ever or not, the 1996 NBA Draft Class definitely brought a different type of swag and introduced changes that can still be felt around the Association.

On NBA Today, former Nets executive Bobby Marks revealed they wanted to draft Bryant but were told he would play in Italy if they picked him. "We passed on Kobe in that '96 draft," Marks said.