It seems like a very legitimate possibility as an USA Basketball representative told TMZ Sports that Bryant is eligible to be selected for the 2016 Olympic team.
TMZ Sports spoke with Team USA rep Craig Miller who tell us ... Kobe is definitely being considered for the '16 roster.
"Kobe is one of 34 players in the U.S. Men's National team pool. The 12 players who will play for Team USA are selected from that pool."
Miller says the final decision will come down to Kobe's health and the overall composition of the team ... but it seems Bryant's got a pretty good shot.
"Kobe's been involved with the national team since 2007. It's not like he has to prove himself."
Miller stressed that they're not necessarily looking for the 12 best individual players -- but the best 12 players who would make the best overall team ... and clearly, they feel Bryant's experience could be very valuable.
This confirms an earlier report, that Bryant was still "in contention" for a spot on the team's roster.
Bryant wants to play in the 2016 Olympics but didn't attend any of the mandatory offseason minicamps. However, USA Basketball's Jerry Colangelo has suggested that he would make an exception for Bryant. If Bryant does get selected, as Miller points out, Colangelo can cite that the Los Angeles Lakers star is in the general pool of players for USA Basketball so he is as eligible as any other player.
As a member of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic teams, Bryant already has two gold medals. And now with all of these different reports from USA Basketball, it is beginning to look like he will be able to add a third this summer.
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