New Kobe Bryant Documentary Revisits 2003 Assault Assault, Raising Questions About Legacy

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 leveled against the basketball icon in 2003.

The three-part series, Kobe: The making of a legendwill 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 January 31, that is expected to draw significant attention. It features details of a recently discovered 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 knee surgery visit in 2003.

The accuser claimed that after showing Bryant to her room, he began kissing her, an act he initially said was consensual. However, she alleged that he then groped her against her objections and choked her when she tried to walk away.

In a police interview included in the documentary, the woman described the encounter, saying, “I wasn’t choking enough that I couldn’t breathe, just choking to the point where I was afraid.”

Bryant initially denied having any sexual encounter with the woman, but later admitted to having consensual sexual relations during a press conference where he appeared alongside his wife, Vanessa. The basketball star expressed regret for committing adultery, but denied the assault allegations.

The legal proceedings became a highly publicized affair, with Bryant receiving widespread public support, despite fears that the charges could damage his career.

He continued to enjoy adulation from fans, notably winning male athlete of the year at the Teen Choice Awards just two weeks after being accused.

The case collapsed in September 2004 after the woman decided not to testify, citing intense media scrutiny and death threats she had received. A civil suit against Bryant later followed, which was settled out of court for a reported sum exceeding $2.5 million.

Bryant, widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020 along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others. The documentary seeks to explore his multifaceted legacy, balancing his brilliance on the court with the complexities of his personal life.

The first episode of Kobe: The making of a legend airs this week on CNN.