MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Kobe Bryant is being sued by an Arkansas man, who claims the Los Angeles Lakers star deliberately elbowed him during a Memphis Grizzlies' game last year.

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant reacts during their loss to the Detroit Pistons in their NBA game in Los Angeles November 10, 2006. [Reuters]

Bill Geeslin sat in the stands when the Lakers played in Memphis last Nov. 14. His three-page federal lawsuit filed Tuesday claims that Bryant came off the court during play, landed on Geeslin and "without provocation" committed assault and battery when he struck Geeslin with his elbow.

Geeslin claims seeks more than $75,000 in damages for unspecified injuries that required medical attention.

Geeslin's attorney, Robert Coleman, declined to elaborate on the filing Wednesday but said he hadn't been in contact with Bryant's attorneys or agent.

A call to Bryant's agent seeking comment was not immediately returned.

The Grizzlies won last year's game 85-73.