NBA legend the late Kobe Bryant helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. Lightning struck in 2003 as he was charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old female. But there was no verdict. Just before it was scheduled to go to trial, prosecutors dropped the case because the accuser was not willing to testify. The lawsuit filed by the woman ended in a settlement. And the details of the settlement were never made public.

Bryant, his wife Vanessa, and their daughter Natalia were seen going into an exclusive jewelry boutique as per reports. It was 3 days after he was charged with sexual assault. Kobe Bryant had a surprise gift waiting for his wife. It is a stunning 8-carat purple diamond ring worth about $4 million.

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Unsurprisingly, the timing makes it look like it was an apology gift for his wife. However, the report suggests that it was not a last-minute apology gift. Because Bryant had commissioned the ring two weeks before.

Kobe Bryant declares his innocence

After Kobe Bryant was charged with a sexual assault, he held a press conference in the Staples Center. During the press conference, Bryant declared he was innocent. He was free on a $25,000 bond at the time. Bryant had this to say about his accuser, “I didn’t force her to do anything against her will. I’m innocent.”

He added, “I sit here in front of you guys, furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making the mistake of adultery. And I love my wife with all my heart.” 

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Bryant then said to his wife that she is his backbone. And that she was a blessing. He then apologized to her for putting their family through this. Bryant stressed, “I’m innocent. And together my wife and I and our family, we’re going to fight these false accusations.”

Vanessa Bryant stood firm with her husband during the whole ordeal. And their marriage was stronger than ever. But in 2011, Vanessa filed for a divorce citing irreconcilable differences. However, the couple was able to patch up things. And in 2013, they announced that they had called off the divorce.

Even though he came out strong, the whole ordeal shocked his fans around the world. However, that didn’t stop him from reaching the heights he was capable of. After superstar teammate Shaquille O’Neal left the Lakers, Bryant struggled as a lone superstar. He had to shoulder the scoring responsibility of the team. But he was obsessed with winning and did whatever it took.

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He then led the Lakers to two straight NBA championships. Thus, he established himself as one of the best Lakers ever. Bryant later retired in 2016 as a Lakers legend.