Lakers star accused of sexual assault

Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant has given himself up to police in Colorado, after a woman accused him of sexual assault in a hotel.

A statement from the Eagle County sheriff 's office said the woman went to deputies last Tuesday and told them the "sexual misconduct" occurred in Denver the previous night.

"Upon review of interviews and physical evidence, investigators met with the District Attorney's office and concluded they had enough evidence to charge Kobe Bryant with felony sexual assault," the statement said.

It added that Bryant, 24, was co-operating with police and had voluntarily complied with an arrest warrant by turning himself in.

Bryant has been the cornerstone, along with Shaquille O'Neal, of the Lakers, the three-time NBA champions between 2000 and 2002.

Bryant joined the Lakers in the 1996-97 season and the following year was the youngest player, at 19, to be selected in an All-Star team. He has been an All-Star ever since and was MVP in 2002.

He was the NBA's second-leading scorer last season, averaging a career-best 30 points while playing in all 82 games for the Lakers. Bryant also had career-high averages of 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists last season.

The 24-year-old has been married to Vanessa Laine since April 2001. The couple had their first child, Natalia Diamante, in January.