NBA star Zion Williamson has denied rape claims from a woman who has filed a lawsuit seeking millions of dollars from him over his alleged actions, ESPN reported.
Besides the rape allegations, the woman, identified as Jane Doe, also claims that the New Orleans Pelicans star subjected her to “sexual, physical, emotional and financial” abuse during their multiyear relationship.
The plaintiff in her suit claims that she and Williamson, 24, got into a relationship during his first year at Duke, and they were ultimately together between 2018 and 2023. She claims that during that period, the two-time NBA All-Star subjected her to a “continuing pattern of abusive, controlling and threatening behavior.”
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The woman said she experienced the alleged abuse from Williamson in Louisiana, California, and other states. In the court filing, the woman alleged that the 24-year-old raped her on two occasions in 2020. She said the first incident of rape happened in Beverly Hills, California in September 2020. She claims that during that incident, Williamson forcefully had sex with her after she told him that “she was tired and wanted to go to sleep.” She alleges it happened after Williamson told her he was not going to allow her to sleep unless she had sex with him, adding that he also choked her and threw her phone.
She also claims that the second rape incident happened in Beverly Hills in October 2020. She said Williamson “violently raped” her after making him aware of her desire to go to San Diego to visit a friend. She claims that during those two incidents, Williamson took possession of her phone for “a period of time.”
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Besides the rape allegations, the woman claims that Williamson strangled her “with such force that she reasonably feared for her life and eventually lost consciousness multiple times.” She also claims that Williamson went to her apartment without her permission and stole belongings, adding that he also threatened to kill her and her family on several occasions, ESPN reported.
The woman said she suffered emotional distress and she wants the court to award her monetary damages. A source also told the news outlet that the woman wants “anywhere from $18 million to $50 million.”
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,” Williamson’s attorneys said in a statement. “The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless. … This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.”
Williamson’s attorneys also said the relationship between their client and the woman was “consensual” and “casual,” and they parted ways years ago.
“At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns,” the attorneys said. They also said Williamson has notified authorities about the woman’s “extortion attempts,” and he intends to file a counterclaim.
“While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claims and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court. We are confident that the legal process will expose the truth and fully vindicate Mr. Williamson,” his attorneys said.
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