The court filing details two alleged incidents of rape in 2020, the first taking place that September in Beverly Hills, California.
According to the complaint, the woman told Williamson “she was tired and wanted to go to sleep” but Williamson told her she could not go to sleep without having sex with him.
In both instances, the woman accused Williamson of taking her phone for “a period of time.”
In addition to the rape allegations, the lawsuit details accusations of strangulation “with such force that she reasonably feared for her life and eventually lost consciousness multiple times.”
The Pelicans shut down Williamson in March because of a lower back contusion suffered in a fall against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday accuses Zion Williamson, a forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, of rape and “sexual, physical, emotional, and financial” abuse during a multi-year relationship.
During a relationship that began during Williamson’s freshman year at Duke and lasted from 2018 to 2023, the woman, who goes by the name Jane Doe, accuses Williamson of engaging in a “continuing pattern of abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior.”.
According to the 12-page civil complaint that ESPN was able to obtain, Williamson’s alleged actions took place in several states, including California and Louisiana.
The court filing describes two alleged rape incidents in 2020, the first of which occurred in Beverly Hills, California, in September of that year. The complaint states that the woman told Williamson that “she was tired and wanted to go to sleep,” but Williamson insisted that she couldn’t do so until she had sex with him. He allegedly raped her after pinning her down with her hands behind her back. The document also stated that after choking the woman, Williamson threw her phone across the room.
In October 2020, a second rape is said to have taken place in Beverly Hills. The woman claims she was “violently raped” after she mentioned that she was going to San Diego to see a friend. Williamson was accused by the woman in both cases of stealing her phone for “a period of time.”. “..”.
The lawsuit includes claims of strangulation “with such force that she reasonably feared for her life and eventually lost consciousness multiple times,” in addition to the rape allegations. Williamson is also accused by the woman of breaking into her apartment without permission and taking her possessions.
Williamson is charged in the lawsuit with repeatedly “threatening to kill” the woman and her family members.
In addition to punitive damages, the woman is requesting monetary compensation for her emotional suffering. ESPN reported that the woman is looking for “anywhere between $18 million and $50 million.”. “.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,” in a statement issued by Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman and Sarver LLC, Williamson’s lawyers. “The complaint’s claims are blatantly untrue and careless. dot. This seems more like an attempt to take advantage of a professional athlete out of greed than out of any rightful complaint. “,”.
According to the lawyers, Williamson and the woman had a “consensual, casual relationship” that ended years ago, and the plaintiff “did not raise any concerns at any point during or immediately after that relationship.”. “Williamson has reported the woman’s ‘extortion attempts’ to law enforcement and intends to file a counterclaim,” they added.
“Even though these accusations are untrue, we acknowledge their gravity and welcome the chance to establish the truth in court. The lawyers declared, “We have faith that the legal process will reveal the truth and completely vindicate Mr. Dot Williamson.”.
The woman’s lawyer, Sam Taylor II of the Los Angeles-based Lanier Law Firm, stated that they would be “extremely cautious about litigating this in the press.”. “.
His client “genuinely looks forward to her day in court when she can tell a jury of her peers what happened to her and seek justice,” Taylor said, adding that the allegations in the complaint are fairly detailed and reflect the seriousness of the case. “,”.
A representative for the Pelicans referred inquiries to Williamson’s legal team.
The 24-year-old Williamson attended Duke for one season prior to being selected first overall by the Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft. Williamson has mainly underperformed throughout his career despite receiving two All-Star selections. In three of his five NBA seasons, injuries have kept him from playing 30 games or more. He missed the 2021–22 season as well because of an injury.
In 30 games in 2024–25, he averaged 24 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 56 percent from the field, and dishing out a career-high 7 points and 2 rebounds, as well as a career-high 5 points and 3 assists. Williamson’s lower back contusion from a fall against the Minnesota Timberwolves forced the Pelicans to bench him in March.
Williamson’s 2025–26 contract is guaranteed on July 15. This month, he played for New Orleans in the NBA draft lottery, where the Pelicans won the No. Seven pick.
Contributions to this report came from the Associated Press.
