Kobe Bryant said that his injury may have inspired him to want to stay in the league for longer than he had initially anticipated.

“I’ve always kind of said that it’s nearing the end, and this is the last chapter, and it is,” Bryant told The Times on Wednesday at his summer camp at UC Santa Barbara.

“How many pages in that last chapter, I don’t know. But it’s definitely the last chapter. I’ve been rejuvenated somewhat by the injury and inspired by watching what San Antonio was able to accomplish this year, so I’m ready to go for at least another three.”

Bryant, who sustained a torn Achilles’ tendon in April, said the injury has allowed him to refocus.


“Mentally, I think mentally I’m more locked in, more engaged on the prospects of playing another three or four years.”

Bryant’s contract expires after this season.

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