Kobe wants to play for USA in Rio

LOS ANGELES (2016 Rio Olympics) - Kobe Bryant would relish the opportunity to play at a Summer Games for the third and last time of his famous career.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist with the USA, Bryant is playing again after having his 2014-15 campaign cut short by injury.

The 2015-16 campaign is what many expect to be the 37-year-old's last in the NBA.

If it is, and Bryant were then to put on the USA jersey one last time, the great's last competitive games would end up being with his national team.

In an Associated Press story, Bryant said:

It would mean the world to me to be around those guys. 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.

Bryant averaged 15 points per game at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to help fire the USA to the gold medal. 

The Los Angeles Lakers great had 20 in the 118-107 title-game triumph over Spain, one of the most hotly contest Olympic Finals in history.

He poured in more than 12ppg at the 2012 Olympics in London as the USA reached the top of the podium for the second time in a row.

They once again won in the Final over Spain, 107-100, and Bryant had 17 points.

Bryant has already shown on plenty of occasions this season with the Lakers that he could be a great player for the Americans in Brazil.

How I feel now is that I feel I can add value from a leadership perspective. I can still move extremely well defensively.

Bryant enjoyed his first two Olympics and not just because of his participation in the basketball tournament.

He took time to go and see plenty of other events as well.

I would like to play. I think it'd be awesome. I'm a global kid. I grew up in Italy, I know a lot of athletes from different parts of the world, from different sports. It'd be great to play in that environment.

Bryant had already expressed his desire to play in Rio to USA Basketball chairman and national team managing director Jerry Colangelo.

Colangelo was quoted in the A.P. story as saying Bryant is "entitled to an opportunity" with the USA team.

There will be plenty of competition for spots on the roster, though, including the 12 USA players who featured last year when they won the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain to clinch a spot in Rio.

FIBA