NBA

Woman Accuses Lakers Players of Sexual Harassment in Viral Instagram Photos

A woman was speaking out for the first time since claiming via Instagram that two Lakers players had sexually harassed her and her mother in Hollywood Sunday night.

Alexis Jones said she didn't recognize the Lakers players when she first encountered them at the intersection of Melrose and La Brea.

She snapped photos of the men, thinking they were "teenage boys," and posted the images to Instagram hoping someone could identify them. That's when she said others began responding and said they were NBA Lakers players Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson.

"I was a girl who just posted pictures of a couple, of what I thought were teenage boys," Jones said. "I was hoping to maybe get one of their names. And it turns out it was the Lakers!"

Within minutes, the posts set off a firestorm.

"In that moment, I was heartbroken because I knew the way social media works," Jones said. "Once it's out there, it's out there."

Jones is an activist who created "ProtectHer," aimed at stopping sexual harassment and abuse in athletics. She claimed the men were in a group who harassed her and her mother while waiting at a red light.

"I turn to look and these guys are leaning out of the jeep and making really inappropriate and sexual, and disgusting gestures at my mom," Jones said.

Jones said the alleged incident happened within seconds.

She quickly took out her phone and took a short video.

Hundreds on social media came out in support of Jones, and hundreds more criticized her.

"I don't regret posting it because I think it's forcing a really important conversation," Jones said. "This isn't an opportunity to be able to slander these guys. I'm super eager just to have a conversation with them just to say, 'I want to be aware of how your actions impact people.'"

Jones said a Lakers spokesman called her, apologizing on behalf of the team.

"I was just a daughter, doing my best to protect her mom," Jones said.

NBC4 spoke to Lakers spokesman John Black. He would only confirm what he told ESPN, which was that the team will be taking this incident "very seriously" and investigating, but would not be commenting further.  

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