Former Sports reporter Kelli Tennant claims she was sexually assaulted by new no Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton. The alleged assault was reported to have happened while Walton was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. In a recent interview, Kelli Tennant detailed the experience she went through and why it took her years to come forward.
According to Kelli’s account, she’s had come to visit Luke at a hotel the team was staying at in order to get him to sign a book she wrote. Once there, Luke led her to his room where he forced her down on his bed. Kelli was quoted saying “ I thought he was going to rape me.” Kelli went on to describe how Luke was kissing her neck, face, and chest. When asked to stop by Kelli several times Luke laughed and would rub his erect penis on her according to Ms. Tennant. During the statement, Kelli attributes her decision to come forth with her story to a much more recent incident with Luke that happened during an awards gala.
When questioned about this alleged sexual assault Luke Walton released a statement through his lawyer Mark Baute. The statement read as follows “ the accuser is an opportunist not a victim and her claim is not credible. We intend to prove this in a courtroom.” Some individual on Luke’s side is wondering why it took Kelli so long to come on. Kelli Tennant response to those thoughts is that she was too scared to come out earlier due to the power he had as coach of the Lakers.
The real question tho is how will the NBA handle this case? So far the NBA hasn’t made a comment. However, the teams mentioned when the alleged assault happened have opened full investigations on Luke and this incident. Once the next season gets started if this hasn’t been settled the NBA should put Luke on paid leave. The NBA for the past five years has been the most progressive league in America. They have to change the way they interact with players, fans and even social issues. In the #Metoo era NBA commissioner Adam Silver has the important and delicate job of figuring out a proper Recourse. In order to show female fans, the NBA cares about their issues while still showing support for Coach, staff, and players.
