A file photo of Laker's superstar Kobe Bryant [Photo: baidu]

Kobe Bryant has decided to retire from the sport of basketball following a loss of 107-103 to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

During a recent conference, Bryant explained his reasons for leaving the NBA.

"I don't want to get too Zen-like on you guys, but honestly, when I'm sitting in meditation, my mind starts drifting, and it always drifted toward basketball, always... always. And it doesn't do that now. It does that sometimes. It doesn't do that all the time, and to me, that was really the first indicator that this game is not something I can obsess over for much longer."

After playing for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and spending a life time playing basketball, Kobe will quit the game after the current season.

The star would later comment that his age and recent lack of passion for the game were a major motivating force for him deciding on making the change.

When asked what's next for the NBA super star, Bryant stated that he wasn't sure.

"Honestly, I don't know. It's tough to say now. I think that question becomes a lot easier to answer when training camp comes around next year... and I'm not there. I think that becomes a question that's a little bit easier to answer. But right now, I honestly feel really at peace with it."

The 37-year-olds resignation notice came in the form of a poem, posted on "The Players Tribune".

A screen shot shows a poem written and published by Kobe Bryant, which the basketball star used to announce his reirement via The Players Tribune. [Photo: Screen shot]