Kobe Bryant fully cleared to return to all basketball activities

Kobe Bryant is set to make his return to the court in time to start training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant has been fully cleared to participate in all basketball activities, reports Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. The Lakers begin training camp on Sep. 29 in Hawaii, and Kobe will be ready to begin he journey with his new teammates.

Bryant tore the rotator cuff of his right shoulder following a dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans, and was announced out for the season shortly after. The injury was so severe his doctor informed him the ligament was torn "completely off the bone."

This update falls in line perfectly with the Lakers' announcement that Bryant would miss approximately nine months following surgery on his shoulder in January. Kobe recently took to the court to shoot for the first time since suffering the season-ending setback, and is now preparing for a fresh season which also happens to be his final one under contract with the Lakers.

Kobe's timely return is another reason for optimism heading into a year where Julius Randle will also make a return, Jordan Clarkson will try to build on his phenomenal rookie year, and D'Angelo Russell gets his first crack at the NBA. Now it's only a matter of time until we see Kobe doing work at the Lakers' training facility in El Segundo.