Lakers legend Byron Scott has been accused of sexually assaulting a high school girl 38 years ago.
According to the Daily Mail, Hayley Dylan filed a 20-page lawsuit accusing the three-time NBA champ of sexual battery, sexual assault, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Dylan alleges that Scott lured her into an area of her high school away from other adults before forcing himself on her in a locked janitor’s closet. Dylan was 15 years old at the time while Scott was 26.
An attorney for Scott, who also formerly coached the Lakers and Nets, did not deny the incident took place but said he thought she was of adult age.
“Our client is devastated by this complaint, a basketball event that took place in 1987 … Our client believed the plaintiff to be over 18 and had no idea she would claim otherwise until 35 years later,” Scott’s attorney, Linda Bauermeister, told Daily Mail. “He respects girls and women, and the claims have blindsided him and his family.”
Scott, now 64, was married to his first wife, Anita Scott, at the time.
Dylan is also accusing Campbell Hall School, where the alleged incident occurred, of not protecting her from Scott.
The Lakers were at the high school during the summer to film an instructional basketball video in the gym and meet with students, parents and faculty members. Dylan was there taking a summer math class.
When staff and parents were asked to leave the gym, Scott reportedly told the film crew “she can stay” while pointing at the 15-year-old Dylan.
When filming wrapped up for the day, Scott asked Dylan for a tour of the rest of the school’s gym facilities which were located underneath the basketball court.
Dylan was “proud and excited to be able to show off her school to someone she admired,” before Scott found an unmarked janitor’s closet, tested the lock and turned off the lights, the report said. He then “forcefully grabbed Hayley by the arm and pulled her inside the room” while she was “frightened and confused.”
Scott is alleged to have begun kissing her on the mouth, much to her confusion, before pulling off her shirt and pushing her to her knees, trying to force her to perform oral sex.
After pleading for Scott to stop, he eventually allowed her to get dressed and leave.
Following the alleged incident, staff and parents had already left the school — so Dylan was left with the players and filming crew.
With no way home, Dylan received a ride from Scott while he purportedly discouraged her from telling anyone about what had happened.
Scott also allegedly asked another teammate to take her home to which the teammate responded, “F–k, no. I’m not putting that girl in my car,” clearly seeing the inappropriate nature of it.
Dylan eventually got picked up by her mom after calling from a payphone.
The supposed victim is seeking a trial by jury and over $25,000 of damages including loss of earnings and attorney fees to be paid by Scott and Campbell Hall.
