Sports | NBA Kobe to Play in Italy During NBA Lockout He's reached verbal agreement with club: source By Evann Gastaldo Posted Sep 30, 2011 6:22 AM CDT Copied Kobe Bryant leaves the Campidoglio, or capitol hill, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca) Kobe Bryant won’t be resting on his laurels during the NBA lockout. The Los Angeles Laker has verbally agreed to a $3 million contract to play with Italian club Virtus Bologna for the first 40 days of the Italian league season, a source tells the AP. Bryant grew up in Italy and has been there this week for endorsement deals. He is due back in the US for labor talks today but is expected to return to Italy next week with a work visa, according to the source. Read These Next White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Report an error