Kobe Bryant Hangs Out With Stephanie Rice Prior to U.S. Men's Basketball Quarterfinals Game

Basketballer and swimming star fuel rumors that they might be more than just friends

Here's one sure way to get people talking.

Kobe Bryant and Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice were spotted sitting together at the velodrome to watch one of the cycling events on Tuesday.

And while the two were merely seen laughing and having a good time, such a sighting has naturally led to speculation that there might be more going on here.

Sure enough, several tabloids in Rice's native Australia have kicked romance rumors into overdrive, as they've been quick to point out how this isn't the first time the two have been photographed side by side.

On July 20, for instance, Rice posted a photo of her and Bryant posing for a pic and tweeting, "First piccy with a 'star' going to be hard to beat... Kobe."

She later followed that up with a shot of a pair of sneakers that had been signed and given to her by Bryant, writing, "Thanks Kobe."

Of course, it should be noted that Bryant is at the summer games in London with his wife and kids. So, anything more than friendship blossoming there between the basketballer and the swimming star would be a wee bit surprising, to say the least.

Incidentally, Bryant joins his U.S. men's basketball teammates today for the quarterfinal game against, yep, Australia.