USA vs Australia men's basketball quarterfinals action in Beijing
Team USA's Kobe Bryant goes for a slam dunk between Australia's Andrew Bogut (6) and David Andersen during second quarter basketball action at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, August 20, 2008, at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The Americans won easily, 116-85 (UPI Photo/Mike Theiler)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James receives the pass as Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on January 19, 2009. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Los Angeles Lakers play Chicago Bulls in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) has his shot blocked by Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng (9) in the final seconds of the second half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on December 25, 2011. The Bulls won 88 to 87. UPI/Lori Shepler
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant dunks two of his 28 points during second half action against the New York Knicks at Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 16, 2008. The Lakers beat the Knicks 116-114. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Los Angeles Lakers play Boston Celtics in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after getting a charging call on the Boston Celtics in the second half at Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 20, 2013. The Lakers won 113 to 99. UPI/Lori Shepler
Men's Basketball at 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
USA's Kobe Bryant holds up his USA jersey as he celebrates a win over Spain to claim the gold medal for Men's Basketball during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 24, 2008. The US won 118 to 107. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg)
Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher participate in Lakers media day at El Segundo, California
Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher (L-R), pose for photos during the basketball team's media day at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 25, 2010. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
U.S.A. OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAM ROUTS ARGENTINA TO WIN F.I.B.A. GOLD IN LAS VEGAS
Carmelo Anthony, Mike Miller, Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Michael Redd and Deron Williams pose the championship trophy following Team USA's 118-81 gold medal clinching victory over Argentina in the final basketball game of the FIBA Americas Championship at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 2, 2007. (UPI Photo/Daniel Gluskoter).
Obama And LA Lakers Visit Boys And Girls Club In DC
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers while filling care packages during a NBA Cares service event at the Boys and Girls Club at THEARC December 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. Bryant and all the members of the 2010 NBA Championship Lakers team volunteered on projects at the club before being honored by the president for their victory. UPI/Chip Somodevilla/POOL
Lakers Bryant talks to teammates against Bulls in Chicago
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant talks to his teammates during a timeout in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on December 10, 2010. The Bulls won 88-84. UPI/Brian Kersey
The Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal (34) and Kobe Bryant (8) watch from the bench during the 4th quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on March 21, 2002. The Spurs defeated the Lakers 108-90. Photo by Joe Mitchell/UPI
Los Angeles Lakers play Houston Rockets in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) goes up for a dunk in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Los Angeles on November 18, 2012. The Lakers won 119 to 108. UPI/Lori Shepler
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (8) and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich call a play during third quarter action at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on December 3, 2004. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 97-88. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant warms up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center in Los Angeles on October 28, 2015. The Timberwolves beat the Lakers 112-111. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI
Lakers Bryant Stands for National Anthem During the NBA Western Conference Playoffs First Round Game Four in Denver
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant stands during the national anthem before the start of the NBA Western Conference playoffs first round game four against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver on May 6, 2012. UPI/Gary C. Caskey
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) wrestles through Memphis Grizzlie guard Quincy Pondexter during the first half of their NBA game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, November 26, 2014. UPI/Jon SooHoo
Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson participate in Lakers media day in El Segundo, California
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and head coach Phil Jackson, pose for photos during the basketball team's media day at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 25, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Fans Show Support for Lakers Bryant During the NBA Western Conference Playoffs First Round Game Three in Denver
Fans show their support of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as the teams warm up for the NBA Western Conference playoffs first round game three at the Pepsi Center in Denver on May 4, 2012. Denver beat Los Angeles 99-84 putting the series at 2-1 Los Angeles. UPI/Gary C. Caskey
DISNEYLAND PREVIEWS FINDING NEMO SUBMARINE VOYAGE ATTRACTION IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa arrive with their daughters Gianna (L) and Natalia for the celebrity preview of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California on June 10, 2007. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant kisses his wife Vanessa prior to game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center in Los Angeles, November 19, 2014. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 104-103. UPI/Jon SooHoo
Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant holds the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with his daughters Gianna (R) and Natalia (L) in Los Angeles on May 6, 2008. Bryant, long regarded as one of the league's top players, won the award for the first time in his 12-year NBA career. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Lakers celebrate 15th NBA Championship with parade in Los Angeles
Kobe Bryant rides on the bus with his wife and daughters as the 2009 NBA Champion Lakers celebrate their 15th NBA Championship with a parade in Los Angeles on June 17, 2009. (UPI Photo/ Phil McCarten)
Jerry Buss, who owned the Los Angeles Lakers for more than 30 years at a time when the team won 10 NBA championships, has died in Los Angeles on Monday, February 18, 2013. He was 80. Buss is pictured in this file photo with Johnny Grant (holding plaque with Buss), Kobe Bryant, A.C. Green, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L-R), during a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring him with a star in 2006. UPI/Jim Ruymen/files
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant shoots over Memphis Grizzlies Vince Carter during the first half of their NBA game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, November 26, 2014. UPI/Jon SooHoo
Los Angeles Lakers participate in media day in El Segundo, California
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant participates in the basketball team's media day at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, California on September 28, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Kobe Bryant places his hands & footprints in cement during ceremony at Grauman's in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds up his hands after placing them in wet cement during a hand & footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on February 19, 2011. Bryant became the first athlete to be immortalized at Grauman's. His hands and footprints will sit alongside Hollywood greats including John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and super Laker fan, Jack Nicholson. UPI/Jim Ruymen
LAP2000011002 - 10 JANUARY 2000 - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA: James Posey of the Denver Nuggets tries to stop Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, January 10. The Los Angeles Lakers posted a victory by beating the Denver Nuggets 130-95. rg/ss/Sinartus Sosrodjojo UPI
Los Angeles Lakers play Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 27, 2013. UPI/Lori Shepler
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant waits for the Washington Wizzards to complete their frre throws during first quarter NBA action at Staples Center in Los Angeles December 16, 2005. The Lakers defeated the Wizzards 97-91..(UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Lakers Guard Bryant Scores Against the Nuggets During the NBA Western Conference Playoffs First Round Game Four in Denver
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over the Denver Nuggets Corey Brewer and Andre Miller in the third quarter during the NBA Western Conference playoffs first round game four at the Pepsi Center in Denver on May 4, 2012. The Lakers beat the Nuggets 92-88 to lead the series 3-1. UPI/Gary C. Caskey
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Game 2 NBA Western Conference Playoffs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives past Denver Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo (6) during the second half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 1, 2012. The Lakers won 104-100. UPI Photo/Lori Shepler
Kobe Bryant participates in Lakers' media day in El Segundo, California
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant participates during the basketball team's media day, at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, California on December 11, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Game 2 NBA Western Conference Playoffs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) gets upset after he is called for a foul on New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul , on the ground, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference Playoff series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 20, 2011. The Lakers defeated the Hornets 87 to 78 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler
Michael Jackson memorial service held at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Kobe Bryant (R) and Magic Johnson speak on stage during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009.The "King of Pop" died in Los Angeles on June 25 at age 50. (UPI Photo Photo/Kevork Djansezian/Pool)
Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz Game 2 Western Conference semifinals in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant gestures in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals in Los Angeles on May 7, 2008. The Lakers defeated the Jazz 120-110 to lead the best-of-seven playoff series 2-0. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Rocky, the Denver Nuggets mascot, towers over Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant just before tipoff at the Pepsi Center in Denver on December 5, 2007. The Lakers beat the Nuggets 111-107. (UPI Photo/Gary C. Caskey)
Lakers' Bryant smiles against the Bulls in Chicago
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant smiles during a time out in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on December 15, 2009. The Lakers won 96-87. UPI/Brian Kersey
First-round draft pick Kobe Bryant poses with new LA Lakers jersey after making deal
Kobe Bryant, the 17 year-old NBA first -round draft pick, shows off his new Los Angeles Lakers jersey with Lakers general manager Jerry West (left), and coach Del Harris (right). Bryant, who was dealt to the Lakers in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for former Laker Vlade Divac, is the sixth player in NBA history to atempt to bypass college for a NBA career. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Photo by Steve Grayson/UPI