Ex-Lakers Star Byron Scott Admits to Past Sexual Encounter With Minor, Claims He Believed She Was 18″

Byron Scott, a celebrated NBA champion and former Lakers player, has acknowledged having sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl nearly four decades ago but insists he thought she was 18 at the time. The alleged incident occurred in 1987 at Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles, where Scott was participating in a Lakers event.

The accuser, Hayley Dylan (then Mendell), has chosen to publicly identify herself in a lawsuit accusing Scott of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and emotional distress. Now 53, Dylan alleges that Scott, then 26, led her into a janitor’s closet during the event and assaulted her.

Scott’s attorney, Linda Bauermeister, stated that her client was “devastated” by the allegations, maintaining he believed Dylan was over 18 and was blindsided by the claims decades later.

‘Our client believed the plaintiff to be over 18 and had no idea she would claim otherwise until 35 years later.

‘He respects girls and women, and the claims have blindsided him and his family.’

According to the lawsuit, Dylan was a student at Campbell Hall when Scott and other Lakers players visited the school to film a basketball video. After being left alone with Scott, she claims he isolated her, forcibly kissed her, and attempted to coerce her into oral sex in a locked closet. The complaint details her fear and confusion during the encounter, as well as Scott’s alleged efforts to discourage her from reporting the incident afterward.

The lawsuit also names Campbell Hall School as a defendant, accusing staff of negligence for failing to supervise Dylan or protect her from potential harm. Instead, the complaint alleges, faculty treated the situation as an opportunity for autographs.

Things quickly took a turn for the worse when they were downstairs alone, according to the complaint.

That is when Scott found an unmarked door at the end of a hallway, which he opened, went inside, flicked the light off and on and tested the lock. The room was a janitor’s closet.

He then ‘forcefully grabbed Hayley by the arm and pulled her inside the room,’

leaving her ‘frightened and confused.’ her lawyer said

Scott then ‘began kissing her on the mouth as she repeatedly asked “what are you doing?”

Then, despite her clear protests, Scott pushed Hayley to her knees, and, against her will, pulled off her top. Scott the pulled down his shorts, exposed his erect penis, and tried to force Hayley to perform oral sex on him.’

Hayley was ‘terrified’ and ‘pleaded for Scott to stop and tried to turn her head away from his erect penis,’ the complaint claims.

Dylan’s legal team emphasizes that the trauma of the incident caused lasting psychological damage. She is seeking a jury trial and over $25,000 in damages from Scott and the school.

Scott, now 64, was a key player during the Lakers’ “Showtime” era, winning three championships with the team. He later served as head coach and has had a long career in the NBA. Married twice, he has three children.

Dylan’s decision to come forward decades later highlights the enduring impact of the alleged assault, as she seeks accountability and closure.