Kobe Bryant announces he will retire at the end of the season

Kobe Bryant has announced that he will retire at the of the season, in a letter that was published at Derek Jeter's website, The Players' Tribune.

In the letter, titled "Dear Basketball," Bryant ends months of speculation by writing that he has nothing left to give.

"This season is all I have left to give, Bryant writes. "My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it's time to say goodbye. And that's OK. I'm ready to let you go."

Kobe had a touching end to his letter.

And we both know, no matter what I do next
I'll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always,
Kobe

The 5-time NBA Champion, and former MVP, is in his 20th season, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he has been struggling all season, at one point referring to himself as just "the 200th best player in the NBA right now."

It is possible that we haven't seen the last of Kobe the basketball player, as he recently said he wants to play in next year's Summer Olympics in Rio. Based on his current level of play that seems like a long shot, but it is possible he could be added to the roster as a backup who can give the team an occasional offensive spark.

Bryant ranks third in NBA history with 32,670 career points, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.