The Lakers organization is currently investigating two of its players, guards Jordan Clarkson and Nick Young, after sexual harassment allegations were made against them. According to a report by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, Clarkson and Young pulled up in a car just after 7 p.m. on Sunday night in Los Angeles, and they began shouting disrespectful taunts at by Alexis Jones, the woman behind the “I Am That Girl” movement–which looks to improve the treatment of women around the world–and her 68-year-old mother. The two Lakers were allegedly in the car with two other men. From Holmes’ report:
Alexis Jones, an activist trying to stop athletes from committing sexual harassment, sexual abuse and domestic violence, said two players — later identified online as Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson — harassed her and another woman Sunday night in Hollywood.
Jones, an author and co-founder of the nonprofit I AM THAT GIRL, which aims to empower women, said in an interview Monday that the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of La Brea and Melrose avenues in Hollywood.
Furthermore, during the alleged incident, Jones snapped a photo of Clarkson and Young while they were looking in her direction from inside the vehicle, and attached a caption “praying these pics go viral,” referring to the two players as “little boys.”
As of right now, the only comment the Lakers have is that they are taking these matters “very seriously,” as per the ESPN report, but they reportedly invited Jones to come speak to the team on her general “I Am That Girl” mission, an invitation she didn’t accept for she doesn’t want to “shame” or “crucify” Young and Clarkson, but would rather work to change behavior.
No suspensions, fines or other punishments have been handed down from the NBA or the Lakers as of yet.