Report: New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson accused of rape

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been accused of rape and physical abuse by a Jane Doe claiming to be his former girlfriend, Alex Raskin of the Daily Mail reported Friday. The London-based publication obtained a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Calif.

In the filing, Williamson, 24, is accused of a continuing pattern of “abusive, controlling and threatening behavior toward Plaintiff,” along with the rape allegations: “We and our client do not want to litigate this case in the press,” Sam Taylor of the Lanier Law Firm said in a statement. “However, I will say this is a very serious case as reflected in the Complaint filed in Los Angeles County. Our client looks forward to her day in court before a jury of her peers to obtain justice in this matter.”

The filing states that Williamson and Doe began dating around 2018 while the former was a freshman sensation at Duke. Doe claims that Williamson raped her twice during the fall of 2020. The relationship allegedly lasted until June 2023. By then, Williamson had wrapped up his fourth NBA season with the Pelicans.

“The Plaintiff claims Williamson abused, controlled and threatened her throughout their relationship, adding that the abuse was ‘sexual, physical, emotional and financial in nature.’ In some cases, Doe claimed, Williamson would choke or smother her, causing her to ‘reasonably fear for her life.’ He’s also accused of threatening her life and the lives of her family,” Raskin wrote.

Zion Williamson facing serious allegations

Williamson, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, just finished up his sixth season in the NBA. A hamstring injury limited him to 30 games, the fourth season in which he’s appeared in 30 games or fewer. Pelicans head coach Willie Green suspended him for one game in January for a violation of team policies. Williamson was late for a team flight to Philadelphia for a contest against the 76ers.

When on the court, Williamson produced. He posted averages of 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Williamson shot 56.7% from the field and 65.6% from the free-throw line.