Media Take Out has looked into the Zion Williamson lawsuit, and have uncovered shocking details that haven’t elsewhere been reported. One major detail is that the woman bringing the charges is a White woman, who comes from a well to do family.
This means that the woman (and her family) are willing to put up the money necessary to fully prosecute this case. It’s going to be hard from Zion to escape taking this case to trial.
It also means that this case will likely tug on racial issues, that this nation hasn’t yet moved on from.
Zion Williamson Faces Serious Allegations: What We Know So Far
Zion Williamson is no stranger to headlines. The New Orleans Pelicans star and former No. 1 overall draft pick has made waves in the NBA with his explosive dunks, constant injury concerns, and off-court buzz. But the latest news involving Zion is serious—and it’s not about basketball.
According to a lawsuit obtained by Media Take Out, a woman—identified only as Jane Doe—has filed a civil suit in Los Angeles County accusing Williamson of r**e, physical abuse, and a long-term pattern of controlling behavior. The complaint outlines two specific allegations of r**e and a relationship that Doe says was emotionally and financially abusive from the time Zion was at Duke through mid-2023.
Her attorney, Sam Taylor of the Lanier Law Firm, made it clear: “We and our client do not want to litigate this case in the press,” he said, but added that this is “a very serious case.” As of now, Zion’s legal team has not publicly responded.
The Timeline: From College to the Courts
According to the filing, Doe says she met Zion in 2018 when he was still at Duke University. Their romantic relationship allegedly continued into his NBA career with the Pelicans, stretching across nearly five years—until 2023.
The lawsuit paints a troubling picture of what allegedly went on behind the scenes. Doe claims Zion’s behavior was not only emotionally manipulative and financially exploitative, but also physically violent and sexually abusive.
Two Specific Allegations of R**e
The first alleged incident occurred in fall 2020, when Zion had reportedly moved to Beverly Hills to train during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the lawsuit, Doe says she was picked up by someone described as Zion’s agent and brought to his house—where he wasn’t home. Later that night, when he returned, she says she tried to leave but was stopped.
The lawsuit claims Zion called her names like “stuck up” and a “b****,” and demanded sex. When she refused, she alleges that Zion pinned her down on the bed and r**ed her, holding her hands behind her back.
The second incident allegedly happened a month later. Doe says she told Zion she wanted to visit a friend in San Diego, which sparked an angry outburst. Zion allegedly began throwing objects, then physically picked her up and threw her to the floor before violently assaulting her again. She claims he also took her phone and laptop to prevent her from getting help or reporting the assault.
Not Just Isolated Incidents, Plaintiff Claims
While the two alleged assaults are central to the complaint, Doe argues they were part of a larger pattern of behavior. She accuses Zion of being emotionally and physically controlling, and says he often restricted her access to communication devices, screamed at her for “talking too much,” and even choked her during arguments.
She also accuses him of financial manipulation—though the lawsuit doesn’t get into specific dollar amounts or details on that front. What’s clear from the filing is that Doe claims this wasn’t an occasional issue—it was the tone of the entire relationship.
The lawsuit states that the relationship ended in June 2023.
Where Things Stand Now
It’s worth emphasizing that these are allegations—serious ones, but not criminal charges at this stage. Zion has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, and there’s no indication yet whether law enforcement is involved. If the case proceeds, it will play out in civil court, where the burden of proof is lower than in a criminal case.
As this unfolds, the NBA and the Pelicans organization have also not issued any formal statement. But in an era when leagues are increasingly pressured to act swiftly in response to off-court issues, the spotlight is on how all parties respond.
This story isn’t about basketball—but it could reshape the narrative around one of the league’s biggest young stars.
