Kobe Bryant Gets Engaged

Some sad news for young, single women in the Los Angeles area surfaced Thursday Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is engaged.

Bryant confirmed his plans after practice, but refused to identify his future bride.

He did say, however, she's not an athlete or actress.

"She's my movie star, she's my star," Bryant, 21, said. "She gives me balance, in the past, I've been pretty much all basketball."

A member of the Lakers' organization, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Bryant is engaged to an 18-year-old woman from Orange County.

Bryant joined the Lakers out of high school and is finishing his fourth season in the NBA. He has already started two All-Star games. He averaged a career-high 22.5 points this season and is averaging 24.4 points in the playoffs.

The Lakers face the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday in the opener of the Western Conference finals. Bryant said no date has been set for the wedding, but it will be after the NBA Finals next month.

©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed