As father time slowly catches up on Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant's playing career, the five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion is giving up on another dream, to play one last time for the United States.
Before the Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz last Saturday, Bryant spoke about playing for Team USA in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"I think as beautiful as it would be to play for our country, when I say my last game is going to be my last game, I'm going to retire, then that's it," Bryant said, according to ESPN.
"It's not like I'm going to walk off the stage and then [say], 'But I'm going to come right back for a minute. Hold on one second.' You know what I mean? I think it's pretty sweet to have the final game be in a Laker uniform and support the players from afar," the 37-year-old franchise star also said.
Before the 2015–16 NBA season began, USA Basketball (USAB) had a minicamp in which interested players who want to represent the country are required to attend.
NBA stars like the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, and the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony were among the players who were present during the camp.
Bryant expressed before his desire to play for Team USA in the upcoming Olympics, but now the story changed and the Lakers veteran is leaving the game to the younger guys.
"I think it's important for them to go ahead and play. I'll watch from afar, support from afar. If they want me to come down and speak to the guys, I will, but that's about it," Bryant added.
The 17-time NBA All-Star is content with the two Olympic gold medals he won playing for Team USA in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
Last November, Bryant penned a poem which was posted on The Players' Tribune, announcing his retirement from the game once the 2015–16 season closes.
