Kobe Bryant out approximately nine months after shoulder surgery

Kobe Bryant will be out for approximately nine months to recover from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday.

The surgery was performed at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, a two-hour procedure by surgeon Neal ElAttrache and Steve Lombardo.

"I expect Kobe to make a full recovery and if all goes as expected, he should be ready for the start of the season," said ElAttrache.

After missing the 2013-14 postseason because of a torn Achilles tendon and playing just six games last season because of a left knee injury, Bryant finds himself with yet another monumental physical challenge on his hands.

While he told the Los Angeles Times recently that he had considered retiring after this season, his plan all along had been to hang up his sneakers after next season. He's owed $25 million for the 2015-16 campaign, giving him plenty of financial incentive to return.

All things Lakers: Latest Los Angeles Lakers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.6 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game this season, but was shooting a career-low 37.3% from the field.