Former Los Angeles Lakers player and coach Byron Scott is facing allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 1987 during a team event at Campbell Hall High School. The lawsuit, initially filed in December 2022 and amended in May 2023, accuses Scott, now 64, of sexual battery and false imprisonment, marking the first time he has been publicly named in this case.
According to the complaint, Scott allegedly assaulted the plaintiff in a locked janitor’s closet while the Lakers were at the school filming an instructional video and interacting with students and faculty. At the time of the incident, Scott was in his fourth season with the Lakers, a storied franchise where he had already secured two of his three NBA championships.
The lawsuit was permitted under a California law that allows older claims to be revived for underage plaintiffs, initially requiring anonymity for defendants until certain legal criteria were met. A judge ruled last August that Scott could be publicly identified.
Scott’s attorney, Linda Bauermeister, stated that he believed the girl was of legal age at the time and expressed that the accusations have greatly impacted him and his family. Scott, who led the Lakers in scoring during the 1987-88 season and competed in the NBA until 1997, claims he was blindsided by the allegations, which have resurfaced 35 years later.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and over $25,000 in damages, including loss of earnings and attorney fees. Currently, Scott is coaching in the Philippines and is married to Cece Gutierrez, featured on the “Basketball Wives” reality show.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
