NBA Star Zion Williamson Hit With Explosive Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault And Kidnapping
A woman identifying herself as a former girlfriend of star has filed a bombshell lawsuit, accusing the athlete of repeated sexual assault, physical abuse, kidnapping, and threats during their multi-year relationship.
Filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the lawsuit was submitted by a Jane Doe, who says she began dating Zion Williamson in 2018 while he was still a standout player for the Duke University men's basketball team.
The plaintiff alleges that on September 23, 2020, roughly a year after Williamson joined the New Orleans Pelicans, he raped and assaulted her at his Beverly Hills home.
According to court documents, obtained by TMZ, the woman told Williamson she was tired and wanted to sleep. In response, he allegedly called her "stuck up" and a "b-tch," before stating that she "could not go to sleep without having sex with him."
She claims he then forcibly pinned her down and sexually assaulted her.
Following the incident, the suit states Williamson took her phone, threw it, and proceeded to choke and scream at her for "talking too much." The woman also noted he smelled of alcohol during the attack.
Less than a month later, on October 10, 2020, she says another violent episode took place after Williamson became enraged when she expressed plans to visit friends in San Diego.
According to the filing, Williamson again sexually assaulted her and took her phone and laptop, preventing her from seeking medical help.
'These two incidents were not isolated,' the lawsuit reads. 'Williamson continued to abuse, rape, assault, and batter Plaintiff in California and other states, including Louisiana and Texas, until the relationship ended in 2023.'
The woman's claims include multiple instances of Williamson strangling her to the point of unconsciousness, threatening to have his security guard shoot her in the head, and allegedly holding her against her will.
She also accuses him of pointing a loaded firearm at her during a 2022 altercation in Louisiana, and says he frequently kicked, beat, and confined her.
In one instance, she says he slammed a car door on her head, causing her to black out. Many of the alleged incidents, the lawsuit claims, occurred while Williamson was intoxicated or under the influence of cocaine.
Her attorney, Sam E. Taylor of The Lanier Law Firm, issued a brief statement on Friday. "We don't want to litigate this case in the media," Taylor said. "But I will say this is a very serious case as reflected in the pleadings that have been filed, and our client looks forward to her day in court to seek justice.'
Williamson first rose to fame thanks to viral high school highlights that showcased his near-superhuman leaping ability. He carried that momentum into a dominant freshman season at Duke University, where he averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. His explosive style of play earned him National College Player of the Year honors, making him the obvious choice for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The New Orleans Pelicans didn't hesitate. At just 19 years old, Williamson was selected first overall and quickly became the face of the franchise. Despite missing the start of his rookie season due to a torn meniscus, his debut in January 2020 made waves. He scored 22 points in just 18 minutes, leaving fans eager for more.
Over the next few seasons, Williamson showed flashes of brilliance. In the 2020–21 season, he was named an NBA All-Star, averaging an astonishing 27.0 points per game while shooting over 61% from the field. His unique combination of size, strength, and finesse drew comparisons to legends like and .
But Williamson's career has been anything but smooth. He missed the entire 2021–22 season with a foot injury and played just 29 games in 2022–23 before being sidelined again. With every setback, questions about his durability and conditioning only grew louder.
Off the court, Williamson has also found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In addition to ongoing concerns about his health and fitness, he's now facing these serious legal allegations that could significantly impact his future in the league.
As of now, Williamson has not publicly responded to the allegations.
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