WASHINGTON, 27 July 2003 — Embattled Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant, who is charged with sexual assaulting a teenager, has pulled out of playing for the United States in next month’s 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament, a spokesman for USA Basketball said.
“He told us he can’t play because of his injuries,” said Craig Miller of USA Basketball on Friday. “His rehabilitation isn’t far enough along for him to participate.”
Bryant recently had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on June 12 and his knee on July 1. It was while he was in Vail, Colorado for the knee operation that he was arrested. Miller said Bryant is welcome to rejoin the team as long as he is healthy.
“Providing he’s healthy, he retains his invite if the team qualifies.”
Bryant was named, along with Tim Duncan, Mike Bibby and Jason Kidd, to the Olympic qualifying team for the Aug. 20-31 tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
He will be replaced on the team by Toronto’s Vince Carter, the Toronto Star reported on Friday. Carter has been beset by knee injuries, having missed nearly half of last season. The top three teams from the tournament advance to the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. Bryant’s agent Rob Pelinka said the National Basketball Association star is still hoping to play for the US in Athens.
“Kobe remains 100 percent committed to representing the United States at the 2004 Games in Athens,” said Pelinka.
