 Kobe Bryant has been key to the Lakers success |
One of the biggest stars in US basketball has been arrested, after being accused of sexual assault. Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers was freed on bail on Sunday by police in Colorado.
A woman has accused the 24-year-old player of assaulting her in a hotel in Edwards County, east of Denver, a week ago.
Bryant is a key playmaker for the Lakers, and with Shaquille O'Neal has been instrumental in bringing three NBA titles in a row to Los Angeles.
The authorities received the complaint against Bryant last Tuesday, and said that the player turned himself to police on Friday.
The local sheriff's office said that Bryant had been co-operative in his dealings with police.
A judge has sealed the case, and no further details have been released, but a press conference is scheduled for later on Monday.
Bryant was freed on $25,000 bail.
Winning run ended
"These allegations are completely out of character of the Kobe Bryant we know," said LA Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.
This season, the Lakers winning run was ended in the Western Conference play-offs by the San Antonio Spurs, who were on to win the NBA title.
Bryant had surgery on his shoulder last month, but is expected to be ready for pre-season training in October.
Bryant is married and his first child, daughter Natalia Diamante, was born in January.
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These allegations are completely out of character of the Kobe Bryant we know 
