New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been accused of sexual assault, a claim which includes accusations of battery, forced detainment, and alcohol and drug abuse. The complaint comes in the form of a civil lawsuit, filed by an ex-girlfriend of Williamson in a Los Angeles, California court. The suit has been [detailed by TMZ](https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-pelicans-zion-williamson-rape-allegations/64928591) and covered by [New Orleans news outlets](https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-pelicans-zion-williamson-rape-allegations/64928591). The TMZ report, in particular, contains disturbing details. Reader discretion is advised.
In addition to multiple claims of sexual assault, the suit details physical and emotional abuse:
> The lawsuit states Williamson strangled the woman “with such force that she reasonably feared for her life and eventually lost consciousness ... multiple times between 2020 and 2023 in California and Louisiana.”
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> The woman also claims Williamson threatened to have his security guard shoot her in the head “multiple times.” She alleges Williamson threatened to have his security kill her parents as well.
It also claims Williamson held the plaintiff against her will:
> The accuser says in the suit Williamson often kicked her with his feet and beat her with his hands. She also claims the 24-year-old would force her to leave her apartment and “intentionally imprison her” in a car until he transported her to a different location. She said one time, as he tried to stop her from escaping the vehicle, he hit her in the head with the door and caused her to lose consciousness.
Substance abuse has also been alleged:
> According to the suit, “when many of the wrongful acts were committed,” Williamson “was either drunk or on cocaine.”
A report from WDSU Channel 6 in New Orleans contains a response from Williamson’s legal team:
> “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless.
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> “This is the plaintiff’s third set of attorneys. This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.
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> “Mr. Williamson and the plaintiff never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago, when he was 18 years old. That relationship ended years ago.
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> “At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns. Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars.
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> “Mr. Williamson reported the plaintiff’s extortion attempts to law enforcement. We understand that an arrest warrant was issued in connection with that report, and we are prepared to provide the court with documentation that supports these facts. Mr. Williamson also intends to file counterclaims and seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit.
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> “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.”
Williamson was expected to feature in trade talks this summer as the Pelicans look to be moving in a new direction which may not include the sixth-year player.