Kobe Bryant to sit out 2016 Olympics

Kobe Bryant has revealed he will not don the United States jersey at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, effectively ending his illustrious international career. While Kobe´s urge to play international ball has been gone for some time, Team USA assistant coach (and Chicago Bulls head coach) Tom Thibodeau is trying to convince him to return.

However, the LA Lakers legend said he would not return to the international fold in a surprisingly open interview with the LA Daily News.

“Nope, I’ll go and spectate,” Bryant said. “I think I’d rather watch Pau [Gasol] win another silver” (with the Spanish national team).

Kobe Bryant will be 38 by time the Olympics roll around in the heat of Brazil in two years time, but a recent $48.5 million two year contract extension will keep him active through the 2015/2016 season. That is if he comes back all well from his latest injury problem, a broken kneecap suffered back in December, but even when he does he won´t push to add to his gold medals from 2012 and 2008. When asked how worried he was about returning to full fitness and form, Bryant was typically bullish.

“Zero,” Bryant said. “There was before I came back the first time because I didn’t know how my Achilles would respond to changing direction. The game in Memphis, I had a pretty good feel and felt like I was getting back to what I normally do. I feel pretty confident. I did play that second half on a fractured leg. I like my chances.”