New Documentary Revisits Kobe Bryant’s 2003 Sexual Assault Allegation

EDWARDS, Colo. — A new CNN documentary, “Kobe: The Making of a Legend,” revisits the 2003 sexual assault allegation against NBA legend Kobe Bryant, featuring previously unseen police interviews with the alleged victim. The film, set to debut Saturday, examines the case that nearly derailed Bryant’s career and includes testimony from the woman, who was 19 at the time of the alleged incident.

The documentary highlights a police interview with the alleged victim, who claimed Bryant choked her during an encounter at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colorado. She told investigators she felt “scared” as Bryant allegedly tightened his grip on her neck when she said “no.” Bryant, who played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, admitted to adultery but vehemently denied the assault allegations.

Mark Hulbert, one of the Eagle County prosecutors involved in the case, said in the documentary that the woman was “resolute” at first but was worn down by public scrutiny and legal challenges. The case was dropped in 2004 after the alleged victim declined to cooperate further. Colorado District Court Chief Judge Ingrid Bakke, who joined the prosecution team in 2003, said the woman had been “beat up for so long” that she reached her “breaking point.”

The documentary also includes portions of the police interview with the alleged victim, conducted by Eagle County Sheriff Doug Winters. She described how Bryant allegedly grabbed her and choked her during the encounter. “Every time I said no, he tightened his hold around me,” she said in the interview. Bryant later admitted to having his hand around her neck but denied it was assault.

Bryant addressed the allegations during a 2003 press conference, where he appeared alongside his wife, Vanessa. He admitted to adultery but maintained his innocence, saying, “I love my wife with all my heart.” The case cast a shadow over Bryant’s career, but he later settled a civil lawsuit with the woman, issuing an apology in which he acknowledged her feelings of non-consent.

The documentary also explores Bryant’s “Black Mamba” persona, which friends say was born out of the adversity he faced during the case. Journalist Scoop Jackson, a close friend of Bryant, said the case “flipped a switch” in him, fueling his drive on the court. Lakers fitness coach Gary Vitti described Bryant as having “rage like no one else.”

Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020 alongside his daughter Gianna, remains a polarizing figure. The documentary aims to provide a comprehensive look at his life, including the controversies that shaped his legacy. CNN’s “Kobe: The Making of a Legend” premieres Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.