NBA All-star Zion Williamson faces civil lawsuit alleging rape and years of abuse
NBA
star
Zion Williamson
is at the center of a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, where a woman identified as his ex-girlfriend(Jane Doe) accuses him of
rape
, physical assault, and a prolonged pattern of abuse spanning from 2018 to 2023.
The plaintiff claims their relationship began during Williamson's freshman year at Duke University and continued into his professional career with the
New Orleans Pelicans
.
Allegations in the lawsuit
The lawsuit outlines two specific instances of alleged rape occurring in September and October 2020 at a Beverly Hills residence rented by Williamson during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first incident, the plaintiff alleges that after expressing a desire to sleep, Williamson insisted on
sex
, subsequently pinning her down and assaulting her. She further claims he threw her phone across the room and choked her.
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The second incident reportedly involved Williamson becoming angry when she mentioned visiting a friend, leading to another alleged assault and the confiscation of her phone and laptop.
Beyond these events, the plaintiff accuses Williamson of ongoing abuse, including strangulation to the point of unconsciousness, physical beatings, threats involving a firearm, and coercive control tactics such as taking her personal belongings without consent.
She asserts that these actions occurred across multiple states, including California, Louisiana, and Texas, until their relationship ended in 2023.
Williamson's response
Williamson's legal team has categorically denied all allegations, describing them as "false and reckless."
His attorneys assert that the relationship was consensual and casual, ending years ago, and claim that the plaintiff only raised concerns after the relationship concluded. They allege that she began demanding millions of dollars and that Williamson reported these alleged extortion attempts to law enforcement, resulting in an arrest warrant. Williamson intends to file counterclaims seeking significant damages for defamation.
Legal proceedings and public reaction
The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial, along with exemplary and punitive damages for the alleged abuse and emotional distress. Her attorney emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, "We and our client do not want to litigate this case in the press. These are very serious allegations."
The New Orleans Pelicans organization has acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment, deferring to Williamson's legal team.
Williamson, the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and a two-time All-Star, has faced previous controversies in his personal life. Despite injury struggles, he has maintained a notable NBA career with the Pelicans.
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NBA star Zion Williamson accused of rape in shocking lawsuit; ex-girlfriend demands massive payout
NBA star Zion Williamson is facing shocking rape and abuse allegations from his ex-girlfriend, who is seeking a massive amount in damages. Williamson has denied all claims through his lawyer but the case has stirred a controversy. read more NBA player Zion Williamson has been hit with a serious accusation that has sent shockwaves across the sporting world. His ex-girlfriend has filed a lawsuit against him, saying he raped her. The New Orleans Pelicans star has also been accused of abuse and violent threats during their relationship that allegedly lasted from 2018 to 2023. Details of the lawsuit filed against Zion Williamson The woman, referred to as Jane Doe in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, has claimed that the incident happened while they were still together. She also said this is not the only time he mistreated her. According to the lawsuit, the woman is asking for a huge amount of money as compensation from the basketball player. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The woman alleged the first rape occurred in September 2020 at a Beverly Hills home Williamson had rented during his training. She claimed that she was brought there by one of his agents, and that when she refused to have sex with Williamson that night, he allegedly pinned her down and raped her. A second incident allegedly took place just weeks later in the same home, after she said she wanted to visit a friend in San Diego. This time, she claimed that Williamson became violent, physically assaulted her, and raped her again. The lawsuit says he also took away her phone and laptop. According to the lawsuit filed by Jane Doe, she is seeking damages estimated to be between $18 million and $50 million in the high-profile case. Zion Williamson dismisses rape allegations Meanwhile, Williamson has dismissed the allegations by issuing a statement via his lawyer Michael Balascio. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless.' 'It was a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago. At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns. Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars,' Balascio added. Williamson, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and is a two-time All-Star, has struggled with injuries throughout his career but still remains one of the league's most popular young players.
