A new documentary series delving into the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant is set to air, with its second episode revisiting the controversial sexual assault allegations brought against the basketball icon in 2003.
The three-part series, Kobe: The Making of a Legend, will premiere on CNN, with its first episode focusing on Bryant’s early years, his rise in youth basketball, and his marriage to Vanessa Bryant, which reportedly caused tensions within his family and inner circle.
However, it is the second episode, premiering on 31 January, that is expected to draw significant attention. It features details of a newly uncovered interview with a 19-year-old hotel employee who accused Bryant of sexual assault.
The alleged incident took place at the Cordillera Lodge and Spa in Eagle, Colorado, where the NBA star had stayed during a visit for knee surgery in 2003.
The accuser claimed that after showing Bryant to his room, he began kissing her, an act she said was initially consensual. However, she alleged that he later groped her against her objections and choked her when she attempted to pull away.
In a police interview included in the documentary, the woman described the encounter, stating, “He wasn’t choking me enough that I couldn’t breathe, just choking me to the point I was scared.”
Bryant initially denied having any sexual encounter with the woman but later admitted to consensual intercourse during a press conference where he appeared alongside his wife, Vanessa. The basketball star expressed regret over committing adultery but denied the assault allegations.
The legal proceedings became a highly publicised affair, with Bryant receiving widespread public support, despite fears that the charges might harm his career.
He continued to enjoy fan adulation, notably winning the Male Athlete of the Year award at the Teen Choice Awards just two weeks after being charged.
The case collapsed in September 2004 after the woman decided not to testify, citing the intense media scrutiny and death threats she had received. She later pursued a civil lawsuit against Bryant, which was settled out of court for a reported sum exceeding $2.5 million.
Bryant, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, died in a helicopter crash on 26 January 2020 alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others. The documentary seeks to explore his multifaceted legacy, balancing his on-court brilliance with the complexities of his personal life.
The first episode of Kobe: The Making of a Legend airs this week on CNN.
