Kobe Bryant Rejects Offer To Join Shaq On TNT’s ‘Inside The NBA’

Kobe Bryant has turned down an offer from TNT to reunite with Shaquille O’Neal as part of the cast of Inside the NBA alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and several other big names who have sat at the long desk at some point.

Kobe Bryant Rejects Offer To Join Shaq ON ‘Inside The NBA’

The former 37-year-old shooting guard, who retired in April after spending his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was reportedly intercepted on Wednesday by TMZ Sports reporters who asked if he had any interest in joining the show. Bryant, nicknamed “The Black Mamba,” simply answered “No,” and hopped into the back of an SUV and left without adding an explanation.

The NBA legend did confirm, however, that he’ll be training O’Neal’s teenage son Shareef this summer.

According to TMZ:

When it comes to the “Inside the NBA” job offer, Kobe Bryant just did something pretty uncommon for him — he passed.

The honchos at the show had reached out to Mamba, hoping he’d join Charles Barkley, Shaq and the rest of the gang either this season or next.

There’s still some good news for Shaq though — Bryant says he’s pumped about training Diesel’s son, Shareef O’Neal, over the summer

Surely, it won’t be long before Bryant reveals his actual post-retirement plans.

PHOTO: BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 03: Retired NBA Champion, CEO, Kobe Inc., Kobe Bryant speaks onstage during 2016 Milken Institute Global Conference at The Beverly Hilton on May 03, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)