Kobe Bryant Being Considered for 2016 Team USA Olympic Roster

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant recently announced his plans to retire from the NBA following the 2015-16 season, but the basketball legend may not be done competing on the hardwood entirely. 

"Kobe is one of 34 players in the U.S. men's national team pool," Team USA representative Craig Miller told TMZ Sports. "The 12 players who will play for Team USA are selected from that pool."   

According to TMZ, Miller noted a final determination regarding Bryant's ability to make the roster for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro "will come down to Kobe's health and the overall composition of the team."

Bryant addressed the possibility of playing in Rio on ESPN's Mike and Mike on Friday, per RealGM:

"

“Obviously I grew up overseas and have seen basketball grow globally. It’s come so far, so fast. (I) would love nothing more to be in an international environment and be around so many other great athletes one more time. That being said, it’s not something I’m obsessing over, either, because I’ve got to listen to my body, too. If my body can’t do it, there’s no sense in doing it. So God willing, hopefully, if they feel I can make a significant contribution and my body is up for it ... if that’s the case then I would love to play.”

"

Bryant has dealt with nagging soreness to his legs and back throughout the start of the season, and it's caused his effectiveness to plummet. 

However, declining production doesn't seem like it's going to dissuade Team USA from considering the 37-year-old in advance of the trip to Brazil. 

"Kobe's been involved with the national team since 2007," Miller said, according to TMZ. "It's not like he has to prove himself."

Year	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG
2008	15.0	2.8	2.1	1.1
2012	12.1	1.8	1.3	1.1

Furthermore, USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo told ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Nov. 29 that Bryant "remains in contention" for a roster spot. 

In a Nov. 9 interview with Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Bryant reiterated his desire to hit the floor with his Red, White and Blue teammates one final time. 

"It would mean the world to me to be around those guys," Bryant said, per Reynolds. "I think to be able to have a chance to continue the relationship that I already have with most of those guys, talking and just kind of being around each other and understanding that this is it, it's just us being together, that would be fun."

A two-time gold medalist, Bryant was an integral component of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic teams that defeated Spain in consecutive championship showdowns. 

But at this stage of his career, it's evident the Black Mamba's addition to the squad would be a lifetime achievement nod for one of the greatest players to ever don a Team USA jersey. 

That said, it would be undeniably chill-inducing to watch Bryant go out on top with another gold medal draped around his neck as curtains draw on his historic career.