He hasn’t changed a bit, has he? As the senior picked Most Likely to Succeed at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, in 1996, Kobe Bryant was so good that he chose to forgo college and take a shot at the NBA. He was picked up by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the L.A. Lakers, where he has spent his pro career. Did his decision pay off? Well, let’s see: He’s led his team to five NBA championships, has been named MVP of both the league and the finals, has earned an Olympic gold medal, and is described as the second coming of Michael Jordan. So, yeah, not a bad gamble.