Kobe Bryant was given an offer from Barcelona last summer to extend his basketball career overseas. Bryant decided to turn it down.

Senior officials at the Catalan club ramped up their overtures toward Bryant after hearing him talk about ending his basketball career with Pau Gasol.

In July, club officials said Kobe told them he "would love to finish my career playing for Barca with Pau Gasol."

Bryant spent his childhood in Europe and has often expressed admiration for European players.

Bryant turned it down out of concerns he wouldn't be healthy enough for the season. Barcelona offered to allow Bryant to exclusively play in the more high-profile Euroleague games.