Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant says he's innocent of the sexual assault charge filed against him in Colorado, and is vowing to fight.

KOBE BRYANT Kobe Bryant's Statement Vanessa Bryant's Statement Events In Case Consensual? Discuss Case Civil Complaint: Jane Doe V. Bryant

Sitting next to his wife before reporters at the Los Angeles Staples Center, Bryant said, more than once, "I'm innocent." He admitted to a sexual encounter, but denied forcing his accuser to do anything against her will.

Bryant's wife held his hand as he made his statement.

Bryant said he was furious and disgusted with himself for, in his words, "making the mistake of adultery."

He said he would fight the charge to the end.

Bryant's attorney Pamela Mackey says the defense will be that Bryant and his accuser had a consensual sexual encounter.

Bryant was charged Friday with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in a case that is bound to tarnish the career of the NBA superstar.

Bryant, 24, faces four years to life in prison if convicted on the single Class IV felony count, Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert told reporters during a news conference.

"It alleges sexual penetration, or intrusion and submission of the victim," Hurlbert said.

The woman worked the front desk at the resort where Bryant was staying.

Bryant has said he is innocent. His attorney, Pamela Mackey, scheduled a Friday evening news conference in Los Angeles.

Hurlbert refused to talk about the details of the case. He said he reviewed all evidence during the last two weeks and consulted prosecutors around the state before making his decision.

Bryant, free on $25,000 bail, must return to court in Eagle on Aug. 6 for an advisement hearing.

"I am innocent of the charges filed today," Bryant said in a statement released Friday. "I did not assault the woman who is accusing me. I made the mistake of adultery. I have to answer to my wife and my God for my actions that night and I pray that both will forgive me."

The case has riveted the sports world for nearly two weeks because it involves one of the NBA's brightest and most magnetic young stars.

The Los Angeles Lakers' star, a recently married father of a baby girl, has also used his clean image to land multimillion-dollar endorsement deals.

Documents in the case, including the arrest warrant, have been sealed.

Authorities have said Bryant assaulted the woman June 30 at the gated Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards. He was in Colorado for knee surgery at a Vail clinic, and was booked at the lodge from June 30 to July 2.

Eagle County sheriff's deputies took Bryant to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs for tests early July 2, later letting him leave in a taxi with his bodyguards.

The woman also underwent tests, and Hurlbert has said he needed information from the state crime lab before making his decision.

Hurlbert (pictured, left) asked the media to respect the woman's privacy by not contacting her.

"This has been very difficult for her, making it more difficult with all the media attention," Hurlbert said.

The identity of the woman is now known by nearly everyone in the small town of Eagle. The University of Northern Colorado college student is a former high school cheerleader who is described as a friendly, kind person.

Her friends said she is also a talented musician and had traveled to Austin, Texas, to audition for the "American Idol" TV show last November.