Basketball star Kobe Bryant was almost served with divorce papers four years ago it has emerged.

Kobe Bryant’s estranged wife Vanessa saw divorce lawyers after being pushed to the limit by the NBA legend’s antics, according to RadarOnline.

But Vanessa Bryant had a change of heart after he promised to change his ways and attend marriage counseling.

A source close to them said: “Vanessa almost threw in the towel four years ago. “Kobe has always had a slew of girlfriends, and the cheating was almost blatant.

“Vanessa had consulted with a divorce attorney, not Laura Wasser, who she has hired to represent her now. Kobe promised Vanessa he would stop cheating, and the two went to marriage counseling.

“Kobe did seem like a devoted husband, and Vanessa decided not to go through with filing at that time.”

Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce from Los Angeles Lakers star citing “irreconcilable differences”

Vanessa Bryant, 29, even stood by Los Angeles Lakers star when he was accused of sexually assaulting a worker at a hotel in Colorado.

Kobe Bryant, 33, admitted having sexual relations with 19-year old hotel employee Katelyn Faber, but denied assault.

The case was dropped by prosecutors after she refused to testify in the trial, but a separate civil lawsuit was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

However, Vanessa Bryant decided to call time on their marriage of almost 11 years after growing tired of his philandering, despite hoping they could work things out for the sake of their two daughters.

The source said: “Vanessa wanted to stay together for the children. Vanessa stood by Kobe during his darkest hour, and she believed him when he said there would be no more women.

“Vanessa began to get suspicious again about 16 months ago about Kobe cheating on her, he knew that if he wasn’t faithful, she would leave him. Vanessa had no other choice.”

The revelation follows claims Kobe Bryant was growing close to one of Kim Kardashian’s best friends, Carla DiBello.

Several websites claimed Carla DiBello, 27, has been on close terms with Kobe Bryant for the last couple of years, according to Radar Online.

Some note that Carla DiBello has been spotted courtside at Lakers games.

Carla DiBello is one of Kim Kardashian’s closest friends, and is also a producer on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Kim Take New York.

She travels around the world with the reality behemoth, and most recently was by her side during Kim Kardashian’s trip to Dubai.

Carla DiBello was director of strategic relations for SBE Group which owns a number of exclusive hotels and clubs in Hollywood.

She was also Steve Wynn’s assistant at his luxury hotel casino of the same name in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, TMZ are reporting that Kobe Bryant is worth much less than the $400 million that was being suggested in some quarters, with his net worth instead being around $150 million.

Still a small fortune, but with a divorce settlement looming, every dollar will count as Kobe Bryant prepares to negotiate spousal and child support.

Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce from Los Angeles Lakers star citing “irreconcilable differences”.

TMZ further claims that she has caught Kobe Bryant with “multiple women” over the years – but the latest affair was the one that broke the camel’s back.

Sources did not tell the website how Vanessa Bryant found out about his alleged fling with Carla DiBello – but apparently it was through text messages.

Vanessa Bryant has been married to the LA Lakers player for ten years.

They have no pre-nuptial agreement, according to TMZ, so Vanessa Bryant will be entitled to substantial monies and has requested spousal support.

It is said that Kobe Bryant has already moved out of the mansion in Orange County that the couple once shared.

According to TMZ, Kobe Bryant purchased the abode ten years ago, but his wife will get the home as part of the couple’s divorce settlement.

They met when Vanessa was just 18, when she was working as a backing dancer in a studio where he was recording, though that material was never released to the public.

According to the legal documents obtained by TMZ, Vanessa Bryant is asking for joint custody of their two daughters – eight-year-old Natalia and five-year-old Gianna.

But she is asking that Kobe Bryant get visitation rights, which means she wants the kids in her care most of the time.

Vanessa Bryant is being represented by Laura Wasser and attorney Samantha Klein, whose clients include Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Maria Shriver and Kim Kardashian.