Kobe Bryant has reversed course and is no longer planning to play in the Olympics this summer.
During the summer of 2015, there was talk that Bryant, who has announced this season will be his final one in the NBA, had interest in playing in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. In fact, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo specifically said that Bryant wanted to earn a spot on the team.
But prior to the Lakers’ game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, Bryant addressed his thoughts on the Olympics and said he’d rather see a younger player get the chance to play in the Summer Games.
Kobe Bryant will not pursue a spot on the 2016 Olympics team. "I think it's the young guys' turn to go. … I've had my moment."
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) January 16, 2016
Kobe: "As beautiful as it would be to play for the country…when I say my last game, it’s going to be my last game." That's April 13 in LA.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) January 17, 2016
Bryant instead thinks it would be cool to have his very last game as a professional basketball player be in front of the great Lakers fans in Los Angeles who have supported him throughout his career.
