The NBA world is reeling after a jaw-dropping lawsuit hit the courts, accusing New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson of rape, kidnapping, and a string of abusive acts against his ex-girlfriend. Filed on May 29, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, this bombshell case has stunned fans and followers of the 24-year-old phenom, threatening to derail the career of one of basketball’s most electrifying talents. For those who’ve cheered Zion’s gravity-defying dunks and followed his journey from Duke to the NBA, this news is a gut punch, demanding a closer look at the allegations shaking the sports world.
The accuser, identified only as Jane Doe to protect her privacy, alleges a five-year relationship with Williamson that turned nightmarish. According to the lawsuit, their romance began in 2018 when Zion dominated college hoops at Duke University. The couple stayed together through his 2019 NBA Draft selection as the No. 1 overall pick by the Pelicans, but the relationship crumbled by June 2023. While the reasons for their breakup remain unclear, Jane Doe’s legal filing paints a chilling picture of what she claims happened behind closed doors, with allegations spanning California, Louisiana, and Texas.
The lawsuit’s most shocking claims center on two alleged rapes in 2020. Detailed with haunting specificity, one incident reportedly occurred on September 23, 2020, at Williamson’s rented Beverly Hills home. Jane Doe says she was invited to the property by Williamson’s agent, only to find the NBA star absent when she arrived. She told him she was exhausted when he showed up later and wanted to sleep. The lawsuit alleges Williamson snapped, calling her “stuck up” and a “bitch” before pinning her down and raping her, insisting she couldn’t rest without submitting to him. The second alleged rape that year adds to the gravity of her claims, though specific details about that incident remain less clear in the filing.
Beyond sexual assault, Jane Doe accuses Zion Williamson of physical and emotional abuse that left her fearing for her life. She claims he strangled her with such force that she lost consciousness multiple times, kicked her, slammed a car door on her, and smothered her to the point of blacking out.
The lawsuit also describes kidnapping incidents, where Williamson allegedly forced her into a car and refused to let her leave. Death threats were a recurring nightmare, with Williamson reportedly threatening to kill her and her parents. In one alarming claim, he allegedly warned he’d have a security guard shoot her in the head. The filing adds a troubling detail: Williamson was often drunk or high on cocaine during these alleged acts, which could complicate the legal and public narrative.
Jane Doe, described in some reports as a woman from Seattle, has chosen anonymity, a common practice in cases involving sexual assault. Her decision to file through the high-profile Lanier Law Firm signals she’s prepared for a fierce legal fight. While little is known about her personal background, the lawsuit suggests she was deeply entwined in Williamson’s life during his meteoric rise, giving her claims a weight that’s hard to dismiss outright. The multi-state nature of the allegations, occurring in California, Louisiana, and Texas, could mean a complex legal battle across jurisdictions, a detail that’s only starting to emerge.
For Zion’s fans, this isn’t the first time his personal life has sparked headlines. In April 2025, Ahkeema Love, the mother of his child, was arrested in Louisiana for a violent home invasion and assault on another woman linked to Williamson. That same year, adult film star Moriah Mills claimed a relationship with Zion and threatened to leak explicit content, stirring a media frenzy. Add to that a 2021 legal victory against a former marketing agent, and Williamson’s off-court life has been quiet. These past incidents don’t prove the current allegations but cast a shadow over his public image as this case unfolds.
As of May 30, 2025, Williamson and his legal team have stayed silent, leaving fans on platforms like X to speculate wildly. Posts from NBA insiders and fans alike reflect shock, with some wondering how this will impact Zion’s season and others debating the credibility of the claims. The silence from Williamson’s camp, unusual for a star of his caliber, has only amplified the accuser’s narrative for now. With the Pelicans yet to comment and the NBA staying mum, the focus remains on the court filings and what’s to come.
What makes this case stand out is the potential for multi-state legal proceedings, a detail not yet widely discussed. Allegations spanning three states could lead to separate investigations or even additional lawsuits, complicating the path to resolution. Another underreported angle is the role of Williamson’s alleged substance use, which could become a focal point in court if evidence supports the claims. For NBA fans and Zion followers, these elements add layers of uncertainty to a story that’s already seismic.