By Paul Osborne

Kobe Bryant has said he has no intention of playing for the US team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games ©Getty ImagesJanuary 20 - Two-time Olympic gold medallist Kobe Bryant has claimed he will not play basketball for the United States at Rio 2016.


The Los Angles Laker player said he had no intention of searching for a third Olympic gold medal despite word Chicago Bulls' head coach Tom Thibodeau, assistant coach for the US Olympic team, trying to convince him to change his mind. 

"He can try all he wants," Bryant said.

"I love Tibs.

"That conversation with him would be more than welcome."

Kobe Bryant joked that he would "watch Pau win another silver" following the United States' victory over Spain in the final of the 2012 London Olympics, a team in which Pau Gasol was a member ©Getty ImagesKobe Bryant joked that he would "watch Pau win another silver" following the United States' victory over Spain in the final of the 2012 London Olympics, a team in which Pau Gasol was a member ©Getty Images



During the London 2012 Olympics, where Bryant served more or less as a role player, the 15-time NBA All-Star announced those Games were going to be his last as a player, a sentiment he has repeated.

"I'll go and spectate," he said.

"Maybe I'll go watch Pau win another silver," he added, referring to Lakers teammate Pau Gasol, a member of the Spanish national team that lost to the US in the final of the London 2012 Games.

Bryant, who will be 38 at the time of the Rio Games in 2016, is currently recovering from a left knee injury which he picked up just weeks after returning to the court following a torn Achilles tendon.

If Bryant were to change his mind and play for the US Olympic team in Rio, he would be the oldest American Olympic men's basketball player ever.

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