Zion Williamson has broken his courtroom silence in the civil lawsuit filed against him last year, denying every allegation and pushing the judge to strike the complaint out entirely.

In papers obtained on 22 September by TMZ and widely reported since, Williamson describes the contact between himself and the woman, who is proceeding anonymously as “Jane Doe”, as a “friends with benefits” arrangement that was “pleasant and consensual” and “friendly and casual”. He says the two never lived together.

Williamson issued a general denial of every allegation in the complaint and asks the court to throw out the case in full.

Statute of limitations and jurisdiction

His attorneys argue that several of the claims, including assault, battery, sexual battery, domestic violence and stalking, are time-barred by the applicable statutes of limitations.

Read also: Michael van Gerwen faces a ranking danger he has avoided for 14 years

They also contend that California law cannot govern conduct alleged to have taken place in North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana, and call the domestic-violence claim “nonsensical” because the parties did not share a home.

Williamson is represented by the firm Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver. When the case first surfaced, attorney Michael A. Balascio said the allegations were “categorically false and reckless” and cast the suit as an attempt to exploit a professional athlete for financial gain.

Countersuit and ‘extortion’ claim

Williamson’s side has signalled that it intends to bring counterclaims and seek significant damages.

His representatives also say they reported alleged extortion attempts by the plaintiff to law enforcement, and that an arrest warrant was issued as a result. Those claims have not been independently confirmed in court.

Read also: Jude Bellingham receives World Cup award he says he did not know existed

What Jane Doe’s lawsuit alleges

The original complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in May 2025. It describes a relationship that began in 2018, during Williamson’s freshman year at Duke, and lasted until 2023.

It accuses him of two rapes in 2020, the first at his Beverly Hills home in September and the second at another Beverly Hills location the following month. The complaint also alleges repeated physical and emotional abuse across California, Louisiana and Texas, including strangulation, confiscation of the plaintiff’s phone and death threats.

These remain unproven civil allegations. Williamson has not been charged criminally in connection with the case.

Williamson, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, remains under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Read also: Dana White backs proposed ban on controversial kick made famous by Jon Jones

Read also: Kevin De Bruyne makes feelings clear on Mark van Bommel after Belgium talks