The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls leader, had a meeting with Jerry Colangelo regarding possibly representing the United States in the 2008 Olympics, but pulled out because of the time commitment.

''I had the meeting, and it went great,'' Hinrich said of his interview with Colangelo.

''It was fun just sitting there talking to him. Walking out of there, I told him I was interested. I ended up [having] my agent call him back and tell him I just didn't think I could do it. It just wasn't right for me at this point in time.

''I was really honored just to even be able to sit down with him. I respect Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball and all that. I'll be cheering for them hard, just because it's my country. It's just I felt like it's something I couldn't do.''

Hinrich said he shied from the time commitment necessary for the program.

''That was one of my big concerns,'' he said. ''The NBA season is really long. I just didn't feel it was right for me.''