Zion Williamson Sued for Alleged Rape, Physical Abuse in Multi-State Civil Lawsuit

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson

NBA star Zion Williamson is facing serious allegations after a civil lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court accused the New Orleans Pelicans forward of raping and physically abusing a woman over a five-year relationship spanning from 2018 to 2023.

The plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, filed the suit anonymously, alleging that Williamson, 24, raped her at his Beverly Hills home in September 2020 and again the following month at another unspecified Beverly Hills location. The lawsuit details a pattern of escalating physical and sexual abuse, threats, and coercion that reportedly continued in multiple states, including California, Louisiana, and Texas.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11).

According to the court filing, the first alleged incident occurred when the woman attempted to go to sleep. Williamson allegedly called her “stuck up” and “a bitch” before telling her she could not sleep until she had sex with him. When she refused, the lawsuit claims Williamson pinned her hands behind her back and raped her. A second alleged rape took place a month later after the plaintiff informed Williamson of her intention to travel to San Diego to visit a friend. The suit states that Williamson responded by picking her up, throwing her to the ground, and pinning her shoulders before sexually assaulting her.

The lawsuit also alleges Williamson confiscated the woman’s phone following both incidents to prevent her from reporting the assaults. It further claims that the abuse was ongoing and that Williamson "continued to abuse, rape, assault, and batter" her over several years and across state lines.

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans sits on the bench during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Additional disturbing allegations in the lawsuit include claims that Williamson threatened to have the woman shot in the head by his security personnel, who were reportedly present and armed during multiple incidents in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023. He is also accused of threatening to have her parents killed.

Williamson’s attorney, Michael A. Balascio, strongly denied the claims, characterizing the lawsuit as an “extortion attempt.” In a public statement, Balascio said, “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless.”

The NBA and the New Orleans Pelicans have not issued public comments regarding the lawsuit.

Zion Williamson, widely regarded as one of the league’s most talented young players, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after a standout college season with the Duke Blue Devils. He currently plays power forward for the Pelicans.