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[Saba Sports News] New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is facing serious allegations in a newly filed lawsuit from a woman claiming to be his former girlfriend.
Filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe in a Los Angeles court on Thursday, the lawsuit accuses Williamson of repeatedly forcing the woman to engage in sex and alleges a disturbing pattern of “abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior.”
According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, the plaintiff says she began dating Williamson in 2018 while he was still playing at Duke University, and that their relationship lasted until June 2023.
She claims there were multiple instances during their time together when Williamson physically assaulted her, including choking and smothering her, which caused her to “reasonably fear for her life.” She also alleges that Williamson once pointed a loaded gun at her head and made threats against her and her family.
One incident described in the lawsuit allegedly occurred in 2020 at Williamson’s Beverly Hills home, where the plaintiff says she attempted to leave after an argument but was forcibly restrained and sexually assaulted.
She claims a similar assault happened about a month later and that Williamson took her phone and laptop to prevent her from contacting authorities or seeking help.
The lawsuit surfaces just a month after a separate incident at Williamson’s residence, where a woman reportedly involved with the NBA star was arrested and later charged with aggravated battery, home invasion, and stalking following a confrontation with another woman at the home.
Williamson has been at the center of multiple off-court controversies over the past year, including public threats from another woman following a separate relationship.
The Pelicans organization is reportedly upset over the ongoing turmoil surrounding their star forward, who has three years and approximately $126 million remaining on his contract. Williamson averaged 24.6 points per game in just 30 appearances this season and was suspended earlier this year by the team for violating internal policies.