One woman also accused New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson of rape, in addition to the abuse that spanned many years of relationships, “sexual, physical, emotional and financial”.

The woman identified as Jane Doe accused Williamson of “continuous patterns of persistent abuse, control and threatening behavior” during a relationship that lasted through 2018-2023 during Williamson’s freshman year in Duke.

The 12-page civil complaint obtained by ESPN says Williamson's alleged action took place in several states, including Louisiana and California.

The court filed detailed two alleged rape incidents in 2020, which was held in Beverly Hills, California in that September. According to the complaint, the woman told Williamson "she was tired and wanted to sleep," but Williamson told her she couldn't fall asleep without having sex with him. He allegedly secured her behind his back with both hands and raped her. Williamson then threw the woman's phone throughout the room and choked her, the document added.

The second rape allegedly took place in October 2020, also in Beverly Hills. The woman said she was “violently raped” after she said she had planned to visit a friend in San Diego. In both cases, the woman accused Williamson of holding the phone for "for a while."

In addition to the rape allegations, the lawsuit details the allegations of blackmail, “Such forceful, she has reason to worry about her life and eventually lost consciousness multiple times.” The woman also accused Williamson of stealing her property into the apartment without consent.

The lawsuit accused Williamson of repeatedly "threatening to kill" the woman and her family.

The woman is seeking monetary damages, including punitive damages, to address emotional distress. A source told ESPN that the woman is seeking “from $18 million to $50 million anywhere.”

"We took these allegations with the greatest gravitation and explicitly denied them," Williamson said in a statement attorney for Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver LLC. "The allegations contained in the complaint are explicitly wrong and reckless. ... It seems to be an attempt to exploit professional athletes who are financially motivated rather than any legally dissatisfied."

Attorneys said Williamson and the woman had a "voluntary, casual relationship" that ended several years ago, and "did not raise any concerns during or after this relationship." They added that Williamson reported the woman's "rape-extortion attempt" to law enforcement and planned to file a counterclaim.

"While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claim and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court. We are confident that the legal process will reveal the truth and fully demonstrate Mr. Williamson," the lawyer said.

The woman's attorney, Sam Taylor II, works at the Lanier law firm in Los Angeles, said they were "very cautious about litigation in the press."

"It's a very serious case, reflected in the allegations in the complaint, and it's a very detailed case," Taylor said. He added that his client "really looked forward to her day in court when she could tell the jury about her peers and seek justice."

A Pelicans spokesman postponed comments to Williamson's legal team.

Williamson, 24, played for a season at Duke before the Pelicans selected him with the No. 1 pick in 2019. Despite winning two All-Star nods, Williamson has been greatly underinjured throughout his career as he limited 30 or fewer games in three of his five NBA seasons. Due to injury, he also sat in the 2021-22 season.

He averaged 24.6 points and shot 56.7% in 30 games in 2024-25, while averaging a career-high 7.2 rebounds and a career-best 5.3 assists. The Pelicans closed Williamson in March for a lower back bruise in a fall against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

On July 15, Williamson's 2025-26 season contract was guaranteed. He represented New Orleans in the NBA draft lottery this month, with the Pelicans walking away with the 7th draft pick.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.