LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Zion Williamson, the former college basketball standout and No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was accused of rape and domestic violence in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to reports released on Friday.
The anonymous woman alleges that Williamson’s abuse was “sexual, physical, emotional and financial,” describing it as part of a “continuing pattern of abusive, controlling and threatening behavior” that began during their relationship while at Duke University.
Over the course of their involvement from 2018 to 2023, Jane Doe alleges that Williamson made her “fear for her life” on multiple occasions, leading her to seek financial compensation between roughly $20 million and $50 million.
Williamson has denied the claims, and his legal team has stated that “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.”
Doe’s attornies countered by saying that “This is a very serious case as reflected in the allegations in the complaint, which are pretty detailed; [my 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.”
This is not the first time Williamson has faced accusations of inappropriate behavior toward women. In July 2023, adult film actress Moriah Mills publicly accused him of physical abuse and alleged that he offered her $62,000 in hush money to not speak of their relationship, further describing him as a “woman beater.”
Williamson averaged 24.6 points per game this past season with the Pelicans but only appeared in 30 games as injuries have plagued his career thus far.
The Duke Blue Devils nor the New Orleans Pelicans have not offered a comment on the situation.
