Kobe Bryant spends day on jury duty

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) " For once, Kobe Bryant wasn't needed at court.

The Los Angeles Lakers star spent several hours on jury duty Wednesday before being excused from an Orange County courtroom.

He was quizzed for potential service on a misdemeanor vehicle tampering case, but attorneys agreed on a panel before his turn in the jury box came up.

The Orange County Register reports the judge got some laughs when he looked at the basketball superstar and asked, "Bryant?"

Bryant told attorneys he was a good listener and thought he could be a fair juror. During an afternoon recess, Bryant said, "Everyone has to do their duty."