Kobe Bryant Commits to Team USA for 2010 and 2012

After winning Olympic gold this summer, several members of Team USA immediately said they'd like to represent their country in the 2012 Olympics, as well. The catch, though, is that playing for Team USA has now become a three-year commitment, and anybody wanting to suit up in London would almost certainly have to commit to playing in the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey, as well.

Needless to say, at least a couple of key members of the Redeem Team might be a little bit busy in the summer of 2010 -- LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, for starters, will be sorting through dozens of job offers from around the league. You have to figure they'll be granted exceptions, but at least one player is willing to commit to Turkey for the right to play in London: Kobe Bryant.

From Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register yesterday that KB's ready to do it again.

Bryant said Wednesday night he is willing to commit to play for USA Basketball in 2010 at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London, where Bryant expects to go for the gold again.

"The chance to represent your country, that's not even a thought-process for me," Bryant said Wednesday. "If they want me to be on it, I'm all game."

Kobe will be 34 years old in 2012, but even if he starts to slow down, there's no doubt that Team USA would be able to find a spot for him. He proved this summer that he's willing to step out of the limelight, embracing the role of a defensive stopper who sets up his teammates on offense while allowing the young guns like Wade and LeBron to carry the scoring load. Even as his athleticism fades, he'll always have the highest basketball IQ on the court.