Kobe Bryant is already in his “farewell tour” in the current NBA regular season with the announcement of his retirement after the 2015-2016 season. The Lakers veteran wants one last appearance in international play, specifically playing for Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics, if given the opportunity.

“Obviously I grew up overseas and have seen basketball grow globally. It’s come so far, so fast. [I] would love nothing more to be in an international environment and be around so many other great athletes one more time,” the 37-year-old Bryant confessed via ESPN Radio.

“That being said, it’s not something I’m obsessing over, either, because I’ve got to listen to my body, too. If my body can’t do it, there’s no sense in doing it. So God willing, hopefully, if they feel I can make a significant contribution and my body is up for it ... if that’s the case then I would love to play.”

Bryant has represented Team USA basketball multiple times in his career and has helped the squad to two Olympic gold medals, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. He was also a member of the team for the 2007 FIBA Americas Championships in Las Vegas where the team also won the gold medal.

Earlier in the summer, while recovering from his injuries, Bryant admitted that he is interested in one last stint with Team USA as confirmed by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo earlier this year.

"And so, [Bryant] also mentioned to me in a private conversation that if he had his druthers, he would love to ride off into the sunset playing one more time and winning the gold medal,” Colangelo said last August. “And that would be the end. But he was very quick to say, 'But, I don't want a spot. I need to earn the spot. I need to be capable of playing at that level to be considered.' And I said, 'You got that. That's always there for you, Kobe.'"

Due to his poor play this year, Bryant’s announcement of his retirement at the end of the current season was not seen as a surprise to many fans and critics.

The 19-year NBA veteran is averaging 16.6 points on 30.4 per cent field goal shooting and 22.0 per cent three-point field goal shooting with 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 19 games so far this season. The scoring average is his lowest since his second year in the league when he averaged 15.4 points per game and not counting the injury-plagued 2013-2014 season when he played in just six games and averaged 13.8 points per game.

Like Bryant, his Lakers are also struggling this season with a 3-15 win-loss record so far this year-- worst in the Western Conference and second-worst in the entire league.

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