Bryant likely to miss worlds after knee surgery

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers had minor surgery on his right knee on Saturday and is unlikely to be available for the US team at next month's World Basketball Championship.

Bryant is still expected to attend part of the American team's training camp in Las Vegas and travel with the US squad to exhibitions in Asia and the world event, which will be held from August 19 to September 3 in Japan.

USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo issued a statement, saying the recovery period Bryant faces from the surgery makes it "highly unlikely" he will be able to play in the world tournament.

The Americans open their training camp this week and Bryant's surgery comes as another blow to a team that has already had roster problems.

The team lost J.J. Redick (back), Paul Pierce (elbow) and Lamar Odom (family reasons) last week.

The US finished sixth at the 2002 worlds in Indianapolis and were third in the Athens Olympics two years later, leading to the formation of a national programme.

Bryant quickly joined the programme and the NBA's leading scorer was expected to be a big part of the 2006 squad.

Bryant's surgery is not expected to affect his NBA season with the Lakers.