Kobe Bryant spokesperson shoots down Big3 rumor

Reports Kobe Bryant might be lacing 'em up again to play in the Big3 are not true, according to Molly Carter, chief marketing offer of Kobe Inc., reported by Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press

Forget that Kobe to the #BIG3 idea. Molly Carter, chief marketing officer of Kobe Inc., says he definitely is not playing next year.
— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) August 21, 2018

The Big3 is a 3-on-3 league of retired NBA players and wrapping up its second season -- with the championship taking place this weekend at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rapper, actor Ice Cube is the league's co-founder. The league's other co-founder, Jeff Kwatinetz, speaking on the league's weekly conference call earlier Tuesday, fanned the flames of speculation by saying Bryant will play in the league next season, according to Brandon Robinson.

Kobe Bryant will play in @thebig3 next season according to Big 3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz while speaking on the league's weekly conference call. #KobeBryant #big3playoffs pic.twitter.com/uJsswdAFiD
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) August 21, 2018

Bryant, who last played in the NBA in the 2015-16 season and then retired, having won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, will turn 40 on Thursday.