Kobe passes torch, drops out of Rio Olympics consideration

Bryant revealed Saturday that he is removing himself from consideration for a spot on the U.S.

team that will compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this summer, meaning the five-time NBA champion’s retirement begins officially when his 20th and final season with the Los Angeles Lakers ends.

Bryant made the announcement in Salt Lake City before the Lakers’ game against the Utah Jazz.

3 all-time scorer, Bryant worried that if he took a spot on the 12-man roster and then could not play because of injury – and he’s dealt with major ones in recent years – he could wind up hurting the U.S.

Bryant revealed to AP in November that “it would mean the world” to him to have one more Olympic opportunity, both for the camaraderie that would have come from being teammates with other NBA stars one more time but also because he has long thought of himself as someone with a unique global perspective.

Fans have celebrated him on the road – they even cheered for him wildly in Boston, with Celtics fans giving the longtime Laker rival a long, warm salute – and he is almost certain to be the leading vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto next month.

Still, the grind of a 20th NBA season – after his last two were basically destroyed by injuries – is taking a clear toll, and when the Lakers’ season ends in April it would obviously be difficult for Bryant to keep things going through the Olympics in August.

“I think it’s pretty sweet to have the final game be in a Lakers uniform,” Bryant said.