Kobe Bryant's Wife Files for Divorce

The Los Angeles Lakers star's wife of 10 years, Vanessa, filed for divorce Friday in Orange County, Calif. citing irreconcilable differences.

According to TMZ, sources connected with the couple says Vanessa who stuck by Kobe after he was charged with sexually assaulting a Colorado woman in 2003 -- decided to end the marriage because she believes Kobe has been unfaithful ... again.

As one source puts it, "She's been dealing with these incidents for a long time and has been a faithful wife, but she's finally had enough," adding, "This one is the straw that broke the camel's back."

And sources say ... Kobe "desperately" wants to win Vanessa back and will do "whatever it takes" to save their 10 1/2 year marriage.

According to the legal docs, Vanessa is asking for joint custody of their 2 daughters, 8-year-old Natalia and 5-year-old Gianna but Vanessa is asking that Kobe get visitation rights, which means she wants the kids in her care most of the time.
 

The couple has NO PRENUP, so 29-year-old Vanessa is entitled to half of the empire Kobe built over the last decade.

She's also requesting spousal support ... which is typical in divorce cases.  Kobe, who filed his response to the divorce minutes after Vanessa filed her petition, says he will pay her spousal support.

According to the Associated Press, the Bryants released a joint statement saying they "have resolved all issues incident to their divorce privately with the assistance of counsel and a judgment dissolving their marital status will be entered in 2012."

The couple also "ask that in the interest of our young children and in light of the upcoming holiday season the public respect our privacy during this difficult time."