Barkley concerned about Kobe's future: '(He) doesn't have a college degree'

Now that Kobe Bryant's NBA career is drawing to a close, the question of Bryant's future has come to the forefront.

Will Bryant coach? Will he work in basketball operations? Perhaps something with the media? Or, perhaps the savvy businessman will leave basketball behind altogether?

Whatever the answer, odds are that the 37-year-old Bryant will land on his feet and continue to be tremendously successful. However, TNT analyst Charles Barkley thinks the "Black Mamba's" lack of post-secondary education will be a hindrance.

"I think it's going to be difficult for him," Barkley told Alex Wong of the Sporting News. "Kobe doesn't have a college degree, and you can only go to so many business meetings."

Bryant famously eschewed the collegiate ranks, opting instead to jump straight from Lower Merion High School to the NBA.

Not having formal education at the post-secondary level, however, hasn't necessarily held Bryant back in any of his endeavors. In addition to lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Lenovo, and Hublot, Bryant is the founder of Kobe Inc. He also sits on the board of directors at sports drink BodyArmor, according to Forbes.

Barkley himself attended Auburn University for three years before entering the NBA.