Due to his arthroscopic knee surgery last Saturday, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant who scored 35.4 points per game in the previous season of the NBA will not be able to play basketball in the world championship games that will run from August 19 till September 3. His surgery was just a minor one, which entailed removal of scar tissue from his right knee, but he needs 8-12 weeks to fully recover.

USA Basketball said in a statement that they will have to choose 12 players for the world championships before the competition begins. Even when Kobe will not be able to play for the US team, he may still be able to attend part of the USA players’ training camp, which will open in Las Vegas few days from now. However, by October, Kobe will already be fully recovered for the start of the Lakers’ training camp. Kobe will also be traveling to Asia with the rest of the Team USA in preparation for their exhibition games in China, South Korea and Japan where the world championships will be held.

By Khristine