Kobe Bryant to take September trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai before camp
Kobe Bryant has off-season time in China, Italy and the Philippines -- all while rehabbing his Achilles’ tendon.
With Lakers’ training camp scheduled to start around Sept. 28, Bryant will make one last long-distance trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Sept. 26 and 27 for the Kobe Bryant Health & Fitness Weekend in Support of Diabetes Awareness.
Bryant’s first stop Sept. 26 will be at the capital of the United Arab Emirates, where he’ll hold a youth basketball clinic.
On Sept. 27, Bryant will coach Team Black Mamba against the Real Madrid Basketball Legends in Dubai. Rapper DeAndre Cortex Way, better known as Soulja Boy, will play on Bryant’s squad.
Former Spanish basketball player Juan Antonio Corbalán will coach the Real Madrid team. After the game, Bryant will judge a slam dunk contest.
Bryant is still recovering from the Achilles injury that sidelined him April 12. It’s unclear whether he’ll be able to play by the season opener Oct. 29.
Though it’s an 18-hour flight back from Dubai to Los Angeles, Bryant will make up 11 hours by crossing time zones -- landing seven hours after he leaves.
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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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