Team USA Training Camp started today with 33 USA hopefuls to make a roster of 12 players.
Kobe Bryant with a resume of 2 gold medals in Olympic play won’t be participating, but according to Team USA Chairman Jerry Colangelo ‘the Mamba’ still has a shot to make the squad.
Colangelo spoke with Sheridan Hoop’s Chris Sheridan on Kobe’s chances.
“If he had a great year, it would be a great story for him to try to close out his career by winning a gold medal,” Colangelo said.
“The thing is, he’s going to have a lot of competition.”
The 2012 USA Basketball who won gold in London are to be essentially locks for a roster spot including LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and James Harden.
One would think NBA MVP Steph Curry gets a roster spot and if Blake Griffin wants to play, he would garner a serious look at another spot.
So essentially every other player at camp is fighting for 2 roster spots, and both will be of need. The real question is will Kobe even want to play, who was a member of the squad who won gold in London.
If you need a reminder of USA Kobe, take a look at the damage he did in the 2008 Olympic Final in Beijing.
Don’t rule out Kobe on playing in Rio de Janeiro just yet.