After missing the US's gold-medal triumph in the 2010 World Basketball Championship in Turkey, Bryant has pledged to return for the Olympics.

The 32-year old guard has told America's head coach Mike Krzyzewski that he is willing to wear the national colours again if the coach and the Americans still want him to be there.

"You guys want me there, I am there and I'm ready to defend," said Bryant, who earlier this year signed a three-year contract extension with the Lakers worth $87 million (£54 million). 

"And then when you guys need me to put some points on the board, I'll do that, too."

The former Most Valuable Player and five-time champion also confirmed his intention of donning the red-white-and-blue again after guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bryant, who skipped the World Championship during the summer because of the knee surgery he underwent after the 2010 NBA finals, said that it is huge honour to be a part of the Olympics.

"You get a chance to see and meet the greatest athletes in the world," he said.

"Aside from just the basketball part of it and being with a great group of guys, it's an opportunity to meet some of the best at what they do.

"It's great for me, I get a chance to talk to them and meet them and go to their events and watch new sports.

"It's just a blast."

Bryant was a starter for the US team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and made key contributions to the team especially in the final against Spain where he buried a crucial three-pointer that sealed the gold-medal finish for the Americans.

Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, who also missed the World Championship, have already made themselves available for the Olympic-campaign, who are still waiting confirmations from LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard.