Report: Corey Maggette Named by Duke Accuser's Friends as Rapist from 1999

Former NBA player Corey Maggette was named by friends of a woman as the alleged rapist in a 1999 alleged sexual assault at Duke.

Al Bello/Getty Images

Former NBA player Corey Maggette was named by friends of a woman as the alleged rapist in a 1999 alleged sexual assault at Duke, reportsThe New York Times.

On Friday, former Duke student Meredith Watson claimed she was raped by a member of the basketball team in 1999, per her attorney's statement. Watson also claimed Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax raped her during her time as a student.

"Ms. Watson was raped by a basketball player during her sophomore year at Duke. She went to the Dean, who provided no help and discouraged her from pursuing the claim further," the lawyer said in a statement. "Ms. Watson also told friends, including Justin Fairfax. Mr. Fairfax then used this prior assault against Ms. Watson, as he explained to her during the only encounter she had with him after the rape

Duke officials did not pursue the claims against Maggette, according to The New York Times, which relied on a childhood friend of Watson and Facebook messages exchanged with another friend.

MCCANN: What's Next As Duke Investigates Alleged 1999 Rape by Former Basketball Player?

Maggette denied the accusation Monday night.

"It has only been through media accounts and a statement from Meredith Watson’s lawyer that I first learned or heard of anything about these sexual assault allegations," Maggette said in a statement, according to the Times. "I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my life and I completely and categorically deny any such charge."

Maggette attended Duke from 1998–99, reaching the national championship with the Blue Devils. He was the No. 13 overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He played with the Magic, Clippers, Warriors, Bucks, Bobcats and Pistons during his NBA career until he retired from the NBA in 2013.

Maggette is now an analyst for Fox Sports. He was pulled from the Clippers broadcast after the Times started making inquiries.