Jordan Clarkson and Nick Young both termed the sexual harassment complaint against them "a misunderstanding," and the Los Angeles Lakers organization formally stated it supported its players. Lakers spokesman John Black also said he spoke to the complainant, Alexis Jones, concluding the incident was the result of "different interpretations of what happened."
Black stopped short of calling the case closed and finished, though it does not appear Clarkson and Young will face any disciplinary action. Black said the Lakers are trying to get Jones, a professional speaker and activist for domestic and sexual misconduct awareness, to address the team about the work she does.
Nick Young & Jordan Clarkson both say the Hollywood incident was "a misunderstanding." Clarkson says last 36 hours have been "crazy."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) March 23, 2016
"We've looked into the situation and spoken to Alexis Jones as well as to Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson. Based on these conversations, our conclusion is that there are different interpretations of what happened," Black said in the statement. "We support Nick and Jordan and believe what they told us about the incident and their actions. We also are supportive of Alexis and her feelings about what happened, about women's rights, and of the fine work Alexis is doing with her organization. I had several conversations with Alexis and her publicist, and tried to arrange a meeting between her, Nick and Jordan. Unfortunately, Alexis's schedule didn't allow for this to happen yesterday. We will also continue to stay in touch with her about the possibility of addressing our team about the important issues with which she's involved."
Jones posted a photo of Clarkson, Young and another male to her Instagram account with a lengthy caption detailing her sexual harassment complaint against them. She said the "young boys" in a Jeep that pulled up next to her car made "the most disgustingly vulgar gestures" while "laughing hysterically." Jones said her mom was with her in the car and was shocked to an extent at which she began "sobbing."
She said she unsuccessfully requested a phone call from Lakers in place of an in-person meeting and also has not received an apology. Regardless, she said she has been "inspired by how the Lakers have responded."
Jones wrote in her Instagram post that she needed help identifying the people in the photos she took, but later noted she had conversations with the NBA about delivering her message to its players. Jones' "ProtectHer" initiative aims to educate young men, particularly athletes and those in college, about sexual harassment and assault.
"Understanding that athletes are the trendsetters for men, I focus on male athletes in order to broaden their definition of 'manhood' and to remind them that they have an opportunity and an enormous responsibility to protect and respect the women in their lives," she writes on her website. "Having spent countless hours speaking to girls and in locker rooms with young men across the country, I have seen the profound affect this conversation has on their definition of self and the impact it has on their behavior towards female students."
Lakers head coach Byron Scott said he too spoke to Clarkson and Young, but said he wanted to keep their conversation private. Neither player detailed their accounts of the incident, though Young said he will learn from it.
"You've just got to watch your surroundings," he said. "We live in a world where social media plays a big part in what you do, so you've just got to be careful about your surroundings and where you're at."
