Zion Williamson sued by a woman alleging the Pelicans star committed sexual violence against her

Zion Williamson is being sued by a woman describing herself as a former dating partner and who alleges the New Orleans Pelicans star committed repeated sexual violence against her.

The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday night, identifies the plaintiff as “Jane Doe.” She claims she began dating Williamson in 2018, when he played at Duke, and alleges that he engaged in abusive behavior toward her in California, Louisiana and Texas from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2023.

Williamson's New Orleans-based attorney, Michael Balascio, called the claims in the lawsuit “categorically false and reckless,” and accused the plaintiff of extortion, which he said has been reported to law enforcement.

“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,” Balascio said in a written statement provided to The Associated Press. “This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.”

The lawsuit alleges that the first instance of sexual violence occurred in a home Williamson had rented in Beverly Hills, California.

The lawsuit also alleges that Williamson temporarily took the plaintiff's mobile phone from her after the first two instances of forced intercourse and also took her laptop after the second.

The complaint includes accusations of strangulation, death threats to the plaintiff and her family, and physical abuse, including being kicked, slammed with a car door, and suffocated until she lost consciousness.

Del Toro stays in pink at Giro d'Italia after first of two mountain showdowns

CHAMPOLUC, Italy (AP) — One down, one to go.

Isaac Del Toro maintained his tight grip on the Giro d'Italia pink jersey on Friday, the first of two massive alpine days.

Del Toro even managed to increase his advantage slightly as the Mexican rider edged closest challenger Richard Carapaz to claim second place on the 19th stage and two precious extra bonus seconds.

The duo crossed the line 58 seconds behind Nicolas Prodhomme, who claimed the biggest victory of his career on the Queen stage.

Del Toro inched to 43 seconds ahead of Carapaz overall. Simon Yates remained third but slipped to one minutes, 21 seconds behind Del Toro.

Del Toro has been in pink since the end of the ninth stage, when he became the first Mexican cyclist to lead the Giro.

His continued success has sparked cycling fever in his home country. He dominates the front pages of the newspapers and Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum wished him luck in her press conference on Thursday.

“It’s amazing. I cannot believe it to be honest. All the people in my country now start to see the sport and how hard it is and it’s just incredible,” Del Toro said. “I think we are coming a little bit, step by step, but now it’s incredible this feeling.”

He added with a laugh, “And I cannot believe I’m the guy who represents the country. They need to send another one better I think.”

The stage featured 5,000 meters of elevation across five climbs — three of which were of the highest classification — on a 166-kilometer (103-mile) route from Biella to Champoluc.

— The Associated Press

Prodhomme was part of a large breakaway right at the start, and he pulled clear of the remaining escapees on the penultimate climb up the Col de Joux to solo to victory.

The French cyclist had a broad smile on his face as he approached the finish and he sat up and stretched out his arms before putting his hands over his face, in disbelief, as he crossed the line for his first win in a Grand Tour and only the second victory in his career.

“I waited a long time for a win, but I won my first race three weeks ago, and now I win here in Grand Tour, in Giro d’Italia,” Prodhomme said. “I’m very, very happy and it’s a very, very nice day.”

Behind Prodhomme, Carapaz attacked on the final climb — 6.8 kilometers from the finish — and only Del Toro stayed with him. The pair rode away from the peloton.

Yates, who had been 51 seconds behind Del Toro at the start of the day, was 1:22 slower than Prodhomme.

The Giro winner will almost certainly be decided in another mountain showdown on Saturday before the mostly ceremonial finish in Rome the following day.

The penultimate stage is a 205-kilometer (127-mile) leg from Verres to Sestriere that features the beyond-category climb on a gravel road to Colle delle Finestre, where Chris Froome’s audacious attack in 2018 earned him the title.

“I have the same chances to win than before the Giro and I just want to be easy, normal guy,” Del Toro said. “Big dinner and hotel, then in the morning we go again.”

AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling