Kobe Bryant wants to play on Team USA for 2016 Olympics

Reporting from LAS VEGAS —  Kobe Bryant may not be done as an Olympian.

Jerry Colangelo, chairman of USA Basketball, told reporters Thursday night that the Lakers star told him he would like to “ride out to the sunset” with a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in the 2016 Olympics, with the understanding that he would like to earn a roster spot and not be handed it.

Bryant is a two-time gold medalist and one of the greatest players in NBA history, but he’s also about to turn 37 years old and has had his last three seasons ended prematurely because of injuries.

He did not participate in Team USA’s minicamp this week but is expected to be ready for the start of the Lakers season after being limited to 35 games last season and only six games the season before that.

Allowing Bryant to make the team as a sort of career achievement award could be a controversial move because it would presumably take a roster spot from another player in the prime of his career.

Colangelo and Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski have said they intend to pick the final roster next year before the start of training camp.