No Kobe Bryant for USA Basketball in 2016 [VIDEO]

Kobe Bryant made it clear that he doesn’t want any special consideration when it comes to the NBA and USA Basketball. That was initially made when all teams had something special for him as he winds down his playing career.

Apparently that request goes as far as being in the NBA All Star game though based on recent tallies, no special consideration or request will be needed.

So how about USA Basketball?

Seeing Kobe join Team USA for one last run could be grand but from the way he is playing plus the injuries setting in, it would be easy to conclude that he will have a hard time securing a slot unless it was done through some exemption.

There are a lot of candidates to make the team though it won’t be surprising if they give way to the 37-year-old cager.

Kobe however spoke on the matter and put a stop to all the talk. He has no plans to participate in international play this coming Summer.

“I think it’s the young guys’ turn to go and play and perform,” says Kobe via Lakers.com. He also adds that he would rather support the players from afar rather than being there and eat up a key spot which could be filled in by someone the team could utilize.

Kobe just said he's not going to play in the Olympics: "I think it's the young guys' turn to go and play and perform."

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 17, 2016

Back in November, Kobe did mention that it would be a privilege to be around the guys via the Associated Press. But while his mind is willing, his body is not.

“I already let Jerry [Colangelo] and Coach K know that I physically can’t do it,” Bryant said via NBA.com.

This hopefully puts a stop to all speculations that Kobe will play beyond the regular NBA season. Bryant will play his final game as a Los Angeles Laker before he bids goodbye to the league where he had a dramatic 20-years.