As he prepares for his 19th NBA season, Kobe Bryant has an end in sight: a send-off with Team USA in Rio for the 2016 Olympics.
Kobe Bryant wants to ‘ride out to the sunset’ at 2016 Rio Olympics
But only if he earns a spot on Team USA 2016 roster by merit.
Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that Bryant wanted to “ride out to the sunset” with the national roster, but only with a spot he earned, not given. The games take place next August and winning another gold medal -- which would be his third -- would be one hell of a way to finish his legendary career.
“In response to a question about him, I said it would be a great story if he did [play in Rio],” Colangelo told reporters after a Team USA minicamp. “And so, he also mentioned to me in a private conversation that if he had his druthers, he would love to ride off into the sunset playing one more time and winning the gold medal. And that would be the end. But he was very quick to say, ‘But, I don’t want a spot. I need to earn the spot. I need to be capable of playing at that level to be considered.’ And I said, ‘You got that. That’s always there for you, Kobe.’”
To earn the spot by merit, Bryant will have to be healthy and beat out several skilled NBA players among the 34-man Team USA National Team roster. The national team is full of young talent that is rising to the top, but Bryant will still have an edge with his seniority and previous success playing for his country.
First, though, Bryant has at least one final season left with the Los Angeles Lakers as he tries to bring together a young, diverse roster in the ridiculous Western Conference.
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