Bryant walks with his family and ESPN's J.A. Adande after his announcement on Sunday

Bryant walks with his family and ESPN's J.A. Adande after his announcement on Sunday

During his career, Bryant made a habit of draining game-winning shots despite being double or triple-teamed by opponents and established a reputation for being one of the best closers in the NBA.

None of Bryant's plans appear to have much to do with basketball - although he allowed that it would be 'an honor' to play for his third Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro next summer if he is picked for the US team.

'I don't want to get too Zen-like,' Bryant said. 'But honestly, when I'm sitting in meditation, my mind starts drifting, and it always drifted toward basketball, always. 

And it doesn't do that now. It does that sometimes. It doesn't do that all the time, and to me, that was really the first indicator that this game is not something I can obsess over for much longer.'